Acupunct Electrother Res. 1991 ; 16(3-4): 127-34.

Electrical stimulation in restricted area of abdominal skin increased glucose level via the pancreatic branch of the vagal nerve in the rat.

Ikeda H, Kawatani M, Takeshige C.

Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan.

Electrical stimulation (5 V, 50 Hz, 10 min.) of the middle upper abdominal area (Chuin acupuncture point) increased the blood sugar level in rats anesthetized with chloralose (60 mg/kg) and urethane (0.6 g/kg). Stimulation of both sides of middle abdominal skin area also increased the blood sugar level. However, electrical stimulation of other areas of the abdominal skin or the front paw, lower leg or thigh did not alter blood sugar level. Electrical stimulation of the middle upper abdomen inhibited spontaneous firing of the vagal nerve that innervates the pancreas, and enhanced neuronal discharges elicited in those fibers by intravenous glucose injection.