Although several previous studies revealed that the glucose-lowering effect of EA at specific acupoints in animal models contributes to insulin signaling pathways [30, 31], the present study not only aimed to explore the effect of EA on lowering plasma glucose but also to assess the microarray analysis of the effect of EA on the active insulin signaling pathway in a STZ-induced rat model of diabetes when subjected to exposure of isoflurane anesthesia. Here, INS is linked to diabetes mellitus.