Fig. 3

EA at ST25 repairs pancreatic function and is β₂-AR-dependent. A, B Effect of EA on choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and A, C Tyrosine hydroxylase protein (TH) expression. Vinculin was used as an internal reference protein. D Differences in pancreatic fibrous degeneration and E Steatosis in rats in each group. F Representative IF images of the pancreas among groups. DAPI stained the nuclei (blue), the green immunofluorescence represents the TH and the red immunofluorescence represents the FABP4. G Representative IF images and H Quantitative fluorescence analysis of the pancreas in model group. DAPI stained the nuclei (blue), the green immunofluorescence represents the CGRP and the red immunofluorescence represents the insulin. I Differences in PVN Nysted staining in rats of various groups. J Changes in glucose tolerance in rats after PVN injection of GABA and K Excision of pancreatic sympathetic nerve. L, N Differences in INS content expression in pancreatic tissues after PVN injection of GABA and M, O Excision of pancreatic sympathetic nerves. P Representative IF images and Q Quantitative fluorescence analysis of the pancreas in model group. DAPI stained the nuclei (blue), the green immunofluorescence represents the β2-AR and the red immunofluorescence represents the insulin. ^#P < 0.05 vs. normal control, ^*P < 0.05 vs. model or another treatment group. EA, electroacupuncture; ST25, Tianshu acupoint; PVN, hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus; GABA, gamma aminobutyric acid