Effect of acupuncture on insulin resistance in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

The fasting blood sugar (FBS), blood insulin (INS), insulin sensitivity index (ISI) and resistant hormone of INS in 46 patients with NIDDM were observed before and after the treatment. It was showed that the good effect was achieved in the cases by acupuncture and moxibustion, while the contents of FBS and INS in plasma were all decreased and ISI was increased in the cases treated by acupuncture and moxibustion, the degree of decrease of FBS and INS, and increase of ISI being closely related to therapeutic effect. The level of resistant hormone of INS and lipid in patients tend to normal level. Acupuncture and moxibustion had a good regulatory effect on the function of endocrine, sugar and lipid metabolism. It suggests that IR can be corrected by acupuncture and moxibustion, which is a key to therapeutic effect.