Objective To observe the effects of root-tip points combination electro-acupuncture（ EA） on the insulin sensitivity and the expression of SIRT1 protein in skeletal muscle of rats with insulin resistance（ IR）. Methods Forty Wistar rats were randomized into the normal diet group（ 16） and high-fat diet group（ 24）

and the latter was given high-fat diet to establish IR models. The IR rats were then randomized again into the model control group and EA group

with 8 in each. The EA group was given electro-acupuncture at points Guanyuan（ BL 26）

Zusanli（ ST 36）

Zhongwan（ RN 12）

and Fenglong（ ST 40） once daily

five times a week

for 8 weeks. Another eight rats fed with normal diet were chosen as the normal control group. The intraperitoneal glucose tolerance（ IPGT） and intraperitoneal insulin tolerance（ IPIT） was detected after 6-week and 7-week EA. The rats were weighed and the expression of SIRT1 protein in quadriceps was detected with Western Blot after 8-week EA. Results Comparing with the normal control group

IPIT was abnormal and the expression of SIRT1 protein was significantly decreased in the model control group（ P < 0. 05）. Comparing with the model control group

the body weight of rats was decreased

IPIT was improved and the expression of SIRT1 protein was increased significantly in the EA group（ P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01）. Conclusion The root-tip points combination EA can improve IR by decreasing the body weight of IR rats

enhancing insulin sensitivity and increasing the expression level of SIRT1 protein in quadriceps.