Dong, Jia-Zi, Wei, Yun-Tao, Xu, Huan-Yu et al. · Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research · 2018 · DOI
This study tested whether acupuncture at a specific point (ST 36) could improve muscle weakness in rats with a chronic fatigue condition. Researchers found that the treatment increased muscle strength and improved how the rats' muscles produce energy by activating protective cellular pathways. The results suggest acupuncture may help muscle cells work more efficiently and reduce damage from fatigue.
Mitochondrial dysfunction and bioenergetic abnormalities are hypothesized contributors to ME/CFS pathophysiology. This study provides preclinical evidence that a non-pharmacological intervention may modulate energy metabolism pathways, potentially opening avenues for clinical investigation of acupuncture or similar metabolic activation strategies in human patients.
This rat model study does not establish that acupuncture is effective in human ME/CFS patients, nor does it prove that ST 36 acupuncture specifically (rather than general acupuncture stimulation) drives the observed molecular changes. The study demonstrates correlation between treatment and molecular marker changes but cannot establish causation in the complex human disease.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
The first block is for the primary paper and is the citation you should use in research work. The atlas-snapshot line only applies if you are specifically referring to this atlas’s reading of the paper on the date shown.
Primary citation
Dong, Jia-Zi, Wei, Yun-Tao, Xu, Huan-Yu, Zhang, Yu, Yong, Ru-Lin, Xue, Ya-Nan, et al. (2018). [Electroacupuncture of "Zusanli" (ST 36) Raises Muscular Force by Adjusting AMPK/PGC-1 α Signaling in Rats with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome].. Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research. https://doi.org/10.13702/j.1000-0607.171010
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-dong-2018-electroacupuncture-zusanli,
author = {Dong, Jia-Zi and Wei, Yun-Tao and Xu, Huan-Yu and Zhang, Yu and Yong, Ru-Lin and Xue, Ya-Nan and Zhang, Li-de},
title = {[Electroacupuncture of "Zusanli" (ST 36) Raises Muscular Force by Adjusting AMPK/PGC-1 α Signaling in Rats with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome].},
journal = {Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research},
year = {2018},
doi = {10.13702/j.1000-0607.171010},
note = {PubMed: 30091537},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/dong-2018-electroacupuncture-zusanli},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-25. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/dong-2018-electroacupuncture-zusanli
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