Researchers tested whether a traditional acupuncture technique called tiaolipiwei could help protect kidneys in rats with diabetes-related kidney disease. They found that acupuncture treatment reduced protein leakage in urine and helped prevent kidney cells from changing into scar tissue. The study suggests acupuncture may work by activating specific pathways in the body that protect kidney cells. While these results are promising in animal models, more research in humans is needed before we know if this treatment could help people with diabetic kidney disease.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether acupuncture treatment could reduce kidney damage and protein loss in urine for rats with diabetes-related kidney disease
  • Who participated: 60 male rats total: 10 healthy rats as a comparison group, and 50 rats fed a high-fat diet and given a chemical to create diabetes and kidney disease
  • Key finding: Rats that received acupuncture treatment had significantly less protein in their urine and better kidney function markers compared to untreated diabetic rats, suggesting the acupuncture protected kidney cells from damage
  • What it means for you: This animal study suggests acupuncture might be worth studying in humans with diabetic kidney disease, but we cannot yet recommend it as a treatment since this research was only done in rats

The Research Details

Researchers started with 60 rats and created a model of diabetic kidney disease by feeding some rats a high-fat diet for 18 weeks, then giving them a chemical injection to cause diabetes. They then divided the sick rats into four groups: one that received no treatment, one that received acupuncture alone, one that received a test drug (AMD3100) alone, and one that received both acupuncture and the drug together. The acupuncture treatment lasted 30 minutes per session for 4 weeks. Throughout the study, researchers measured body weight, blood sugar levels, and urine protein levels weekly. At the end, they examined kidney tissue under microscopes and analyzed the genes and proteins in kidney cells to understand how the treatment worked.

This study design allowed researchers to see not just whether acupuncture helped, but also to understand the biological mechanisms—the actual pathways in cells—that might explain how it works. By combining traditional acupuncture with modern genetic and protein analysis, the researchers could bridge ancient medical practices with modern science to understand what’s happening at the cellular level.

This is a well-designed animal study with appropriate control groups and multiple measurements to track kidney health. The researchers used advanced laboratory techniques (gene and protein analysis) to understand how the treatment works. However, because this was only tested in rats, we cannot be certain the results would apply to humans. Animal studies are important first steps but always need to be followed by human research before making medical recommendations.

What the Results Show

Rats treated with acupuncture had significantly lower levels of protein in their 24-hour urine collection compared to untreated diabetic rats. This is important because excess protein in urine is a sign of kidney damage. The acupuncture-treated rats also had better kidney function markers, including lower creatinine and urea nitrogen levels in their blood, which indicate the kidneys were working better. Additionally, the acupuncture group showed less scarring in their kidney tissue under the microscope. These improvements were similar to what was seen in rats that received the experimental drug AMD3100, suggesting acupuncture may work through similar biological pathways.

When researchers examined kidney cells at the genetic and protein level, they found that acupuncture treatment reduced the expression of proteins associated with scar tissue formation (specifically alpha-SMA). The treatment also increased protective proteins in kidney cells called nephrin, podocin, and CD2AP, which help maintain the kidney’s filtering function. Interestingly, combining acupuncture with the AMD3100 drug did not produce significantly better results than acupuncture alone, suggesting the two treatments may work through overlapping mechanisms.

This research adds to growing evidence that acupuncture may have protective effects on organs beyond pain relief. Previous studies have suggested acupuncture can reduce inflammation and protect tissues, and this study provides a potential mechanism—by activating specific cellular signaling pathways that prevent kidney cells from transforming into scar tissue. However, most acupuncture research in kidney disease has been limited, making this contribution relatively novel in the field.

This study was conducted only in rats with artificially induced diabetes and kidney disease, which may not perfectly mirror how the disease develops in humans. The sample size was relatively small (only 3-5 rats per group for detailed analysis), which limits how confident we can be in the results. The study did not include a comparison to standard diabetes or kidney disease treatments that humans currently use. Additionally, we don’t know if the acupuncture technique used in rats would translate to the same technique or effectiveness in humans.

The Bottom Line

Based on this animal research, acupuncture shows promise as a potential treatment for diabetic kidney disease, but it is too early to recommend it as a standard treatment. People with diabetic kidney disease should continue following their doctor’s current treatment plans (blood sugar control, blood pressure management, and medications like ACE inhibitors). If interested in acupuncture as a complementary approach, discuss it with your healthcare provider. Confidence level: Low to Moderate (animal study only)

This research is most relevant to people with type 2 diabetes who have developed kidney disease (shown by protein in urine). It may also interest researchers studying how traditional medicine techniques work at the cellular level. People without kidney disease or diabetes should not assume these findings apply to them. This is not yet a recommendation for the general population.

In this rat study, benefits appeared after 4 weeks of treatment. If similar treatments were tested in humans, it would likely take several months to see measurable improvements in kidney function. However, human studies would need to be conducted first to determine realistic timelines.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Users interested in acupuncture for kidney health should track weekly urine protein levels (if available through their doctor) and monthly kidney function tests (creatinine and urea nitrogen levels). They should also monitor blood sugar control and blood pressure, as these are primary drivers of kidney disease progression.
  • If a user’s doctor approves, they could schedule regular acupuncture sessions (similar to the 30-minute weekly sessions in this study) and log these appointments in the app. They should track any changes in symptoms like swelling, fatigue, or urinary changes alongside their acupuncture treatments.
  • Create a long-term tracking dashboard that monitors kidney health markers (protein in urine, creatinine levels) alongside acupuncture treatment frequency. Set monthly reminders for kidney function blood tests and correlate results with treatment adherence. Include notes on overall wellness and symptom changes to build a personal health picture over 3-6 months.

This research was conducted in rats and has not been tested in humans. Acupuncture should not replace standard medical treatment for diabetic kidney disease, which includes blood sugar control, blood pressure management, and medications prescribed by your doctor. If you have diabetic kidney disease or kidney problems, consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment, including acupuncture. The findings presented here are preliminary and require human clinical trials before they can be recommended as a medical treatment. Always work with your medical team to manage kidney disease.