Researchers tested whether acupuncture could help protect kidneys in rats with diabetes-related kidney disease. They used a special acupuncture technique focused on the digestive system, applying needles to specific points on the rats’ legs and belly four times per week for four weeks. The results showed that acupuncture improved kidney function, lowered blood sugar levels, and reduced protein leaking into the urine—a sign of kidney damage. The study suggests acupuncture may work by activating a cellular cleanup process called autophagy, which helps kidney cells repair themselves. While these findings are promising in rats, more research is needed to see if the same benefits apply to humans with diabetes.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether acupuncture could improve kidney function and reduce kidney damage in rats with diabetes-related kidney disease
  • Who participated: 40 male laboratory rats: 10 healthy control rats and 30 rats with artificially induced diabetes-related kidney disease. Of the diseased rats, 20 were successfully modeled and split into two groups of 10 each—one receiving acupuncture treatment and one serving as a comparison group
  • Key finding: Rats receiving acupuncture showed improved kidney function, lower blood sugar levels, and significantly reduced protein in their urine compared to untreated diabetic rats. The treatment appeared to activate cellular repair mechanisms in kidney cells
  • What it means for you: This early-stage animal research suggests acupuncture might help protect kidneys in people with diabetes, but human studies are needed before making any treatment decisions. If you have diabetes-related kidney disease, discuss all treatment options with your doctor

The Research Details

Scientists created a rat model of diabetes-related kidney disease by feeding rats a high-fat, high-sugar diet and injecting them with a chemical that damages the pancreas. Once the rats developed kidney disease, they divided them into two groups: one received acupuncture treatment and one did not. The acupuncture group received needle treatments at four specific body points (two on the legs, one on the inner knee, and one on the belly) for 30 minutes per session, once daily, five days per week, for four weeks. This approach is based on traditional Chinese medicine principles of balancing the digestive system to support kidney health.

Before and after treatment, researchers measured multiple markers of kidney health and diabetes control, including blood sugar levels, kidney function tests, and the amount of protein in the urine. They also examined kidney tissue under a powerful microscope to look at cellular structures and used special staining techniques to see if cells were dying or being repaired. Finally, they used molecular biology techniques to measure specific proteins and genetic material involved in cellular repair processes.

This research design allows scientists to test whether acupuncture can actually change the biological processes that damage kidneys in diabetes. By measuring both the clinical signs of kidney disease (like protein in urine) and the cellular mechanisms (like autophagy activation), the study provides insight into how acupuncture might work at a fundamental level. This type of mechanistic research is important for understanding whether observed benefits are real or coincidental

Strengths of this study include the use of a controlled comparison group, random assignment of rats to treatment groups, and measurement of multiple relevant outcomes. The researchers used objective laboratory tests and microscopic examination rather than relying on subjective observations. However, this is an animal study in rats, which have different physiology than humans. The sample size is relatively small (20 rats in the treatment comparison), and the study was conducted in a single laboratory. Results from animal studies don’t always translate to humans, so this should be viewed as preliminary evidence requiring human testing

What the Results Show

Compared to untreated diabetic rats, rats receiving acupuncture showed significant improvements across multiple measures of kidney health. Blood sugar levels (both fasting and after meals) were lower in the acupuncture group. Kidney function markers—including serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen—were reduced, indicating better kidney performance. Most importantly, the amount of protein leaking into the urine decreased substantially, which is a key sign of kidney damage in diabetes.

The acupuncture-treated rats also showed improvements in their general condition, including reduced excessive drinking and urination, less weight loss, and improved digestion. Microscopic examination of kidney tissue revealed that acupuncture-treated rats had less damage to the specialized cells (podocytes) that filter blood in the kidneys. These cells showed signs of active repair through a cellular cleanup process called autophagy, where cells remove damaged components and recycle them.

At the molecular level, the researchers found that acupuncture increased the activity of proteins involved in autophagy (LC3-II and Beclin-1) while decreasing markers of cell death. The treatment also affected a specific genetic pathway (the SOX2OT/mTORC1/ULK1 pathway) that controls cellular repair processes. These changes suggest acupuncture may work by activating the kidney’s natural repair mechanisms rather than introducing new substances into the body.

The study measured a specific protein in the urine (SPON2) that indicates podocyte injury. This marker was significantly elevated in untreated diabetic rats but was reduced in the acupuncture-treated group, confirming that the treatment reduced cellular damage. The researchers also observed that acupuncture improved the structural appearance of the glomerular basement membrane (the filtering barrier in the kidney) when viewed under electron microscopy. Additionally, the treatment reduced programmed cell death (apoptosis) in kidney cells, suggesting the acupuncture helped preserve kidney cell survival

This study builds on existing research in traditional Chinese medicine suggesting that acupuncture can support kidney function. Previous studies have shown that acupuncture may reduce inflammation and improve blood flow, which could benefit kidney health. This research adds to that body of work by identifying a specific cellular mechanism—autophagy activation—that might explain how acupuncture protects kidneys. The focus on the SOX2OT/mTORC1/ULK1 pathway is relatively novel and provides a new target for understanding acupuncture’s effects. However, most acupuncture research for kidney disease remains in animal models, with limited human clinical trials

The most important limitation is that this study was conducted in rats, not humans. Rats’ bodies process treatments differently than human bodies, and results that work in rats often don’t translate to humans. The study used only male rats, so results may not apply to females. The sample size was small—only 10 rats in each treatment group—which limits the strength of the conclusions. The study lasted only four weeks, so we don’t know if benefits would continue longer or if they would be sustained after treatment stops. The research was conducted in a single laboratory, so results haven’t been independently verified. Additionally, the study doesn’t compare acupuncture to standard diabetes kidney disease treatments, so we don’t know how effective it is relative to existing therapies. Finally, the specific acupuncture points and treatment schedule used in rats may not be directly applicable to humans

The Bottom Line

Based on this animal research, acupuncture shows promise as a potential supportive treatment for diabetes-related kidney disease, but human clinical trials are needed before making clinical recommendations. Current evidence level: Low (animal study only). If you have diabetes-related kidney disease, continue following your doctor’s prescribed treatment plan. You may discuss acupuncture as a complementary therapy with your healthcare provider, but it should not replace standard medical care. Do not delay or stop any kidney disease medications based on this research

This research is most relevant to people with diabetes-related kidney disease who are interested in complementary therapies. It may also interest researchers studying how traditional medicine approaches might work at a cellular level. Healthcare providers treating diabetes and kidney disease should be aware of this emerging research. However, people without kidney disease should not assume acupuncture provides kidney protection based on this single animal study. Pregnant women, people on blood thinners, or those with certain medical conditions should consult their doctor before trying acupuncture

In this rat study, benefits appeared after four weeks of treatment. If similar effects occur in humans, you might expect to see changes in kidney function markers within several weeks to months of regular treatment. However, kidney disease typically progresses slowly, so longer-term studies (months to years) would be needed to determine if acupuncture can slow or prevent kidney damage progression. Any benefits would likely require ongoing treatment, as stopping acupuncture might reverse the effects

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you pursue acupuncture as a complementary therapy, track your acupuncture sessions (date, duration, points treated) and correlate them with your regular kidney function lab work. Specifically monitor: fasting blood glucose, 24-hour urine protein levels, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen. Record these lab values every 3 months and note any changes in symptoms like excessive thirst, urination frequency, fatigue, or swelling
  • Users interested in this research could use an app to: (1) schedule and log acupuncture appointments with a qualified practitioner, (2) set reminders for treatment sessions to ensure consistency, (3) record blood glucose readings before and after treatment to track patterns, (4) log symptoms like thirst and urination frequency, and (5) maintain a calendar of lab work appointments to monitor kidney function markers
  • Establish a baseline of kidney function markers before starting acupuncture, then track changes over 3-month intervals. Use the app to create a graph showing trends in key markers (urine protein, creatinine, glucose levels). Set alerts for upcoming lab appointments and medication refills. Document any changes in how you feel, energy levels, and diabetes symptoms. Share this tracked data with your healthcare provider at regular appointments to ensure acupuncture complements rather than interferes with your standard treatment plan

This research describes an animal study in rats and should not be interpreted as medical advice for humans. Diabetic kidney disease is a serious condition requiring medical supervision. Do not start, stop, or change any kidney disease medications or treatments based on this research. Acupuncture should only be performed by a licensed, qualified practitioner. Before considering acupuncture as a complementary therapy for kidney disease, consult with your nephrologist or primary care physician. This study provides preliminary evidence that warrants further human research but does not establish acupuncture as a proven treatment for diabetic kidney disease. Individual results may vary, and this research may not apply to all people with kidney disease