The Effects achand Menisms of Electroacupuncture Combined with Exercise Training on T2DM Sarcopenia Based on the Omi/HtrA2 Autophagy Pathway

Purpose: To explore the effects and mechanisms of electroacupuncture combined with exercise training on sarcopenia in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: C57bcs-db mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group, model group, electroacupuncture group, exercise group, electroacupuncture + running group. Except for the control group, the other four groups were subcutaneously injected with dexamethasone solution to establish a T2DM sarcopenia model. After successful modeling, the mice in the running group were trained on the treadmill for 5 weeks. Mice in electroacupuncture group were connected to electrotherapy apparatus for 5 weeks. Mice in the electroacupuncture + running group were treated with both running and electroacupuncture. The grasping power, body weight and wet weight of both gastrocnemius of mice were measured. The morphology and structure of gastrocnemius were observed by HE staining. mRNA expressions of omi, Hax-1, LC3 and Becline were detected by RT-PCR, and the expression of related autophagy molecular proteins were detected by Western blot. Results: After the modeling, all the mice reached the successful criteria for modeling of sarcopenia. After intervention, the hind leg grip of mice in electroacupuncture group, running group and electroacupuncture + running group was significantly increased. The wet weight of gastrocnemius muscle in running + electroacupuncture group was significantly higher than that in model group, and the degree of muscle fiber atrophy of gastrocnemius muscle was significantly reduced. LC3mRNA level and omi/Htra2 protein expression level were significantly decreased in electroacupuncture + running group. Conclusion: The evidence provided by this study suggests that dexamethasone induces sarcopenia in T2DM mice. Electroacupuncture combined with exercise improves grip strength, skeletal muscle wet weight, and muscle fiber atrophy in mice, and reduces the expression of autophagy-related mRNA and proteins, indicating that electroacupuncture combined with exercise may be an effective treatment for T2DM-related sarcopenia.