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Xu H, Luo Y, Li Q, Zhu H. Acupuncture influences multiple diseases by regulating gut microbiota. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1371543. [PMID: 39040602 PMCID: PMC11260648 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1371543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture, an important green and side effect-free therapy in traditional Chinese medicine, is widely use both domestically and internationally. Acupuncture can interact with the gut microbiota and influence various diseases, including metabolic diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, mental disorders, nervous system diseases, and other diseases. This review presents a thorough analysis of these interactions and their impacts and examines the alterations in the gut microbiota and the potential clinical outcomes following acupuncture intervention to establish a basis for the future utilization of acupuncture in clinical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Xu
- Department of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yingzhe Luo
- Department of Oncology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiaoqi Li
- Department of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hong Zhu
- Department of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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2
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Jiang LY, Tian J, Yang YN, Jia SH, Shu Q. Acupuncture for obesity and related diseases: Insight for regulating neural circuit. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 2024; 22:93-101. [PMID: 38519278 DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2024.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Obesity is associated with numerous pathological changes including insulin resistance, fatty liver, hyperlipidemias, and other obesity-related diseases. These comorbidities comprise a significant public health threat. Existing anti-obesity drugs have been limited by side effects that include depression, suicidal thoughts, cardiovascular complications and stroke. Acupuncture treatment has been shown to be effective for treating obesity and obesity-related conditions, while avoiding side effects. However, the mechanisms of acupuncture in treating obesity-related diseases, especially its effect on neural circuits, are not well understood. A growing body of research has studied acupuncture's effects on the endocrine system and other mechanisms related to the regulation of neural circuits. In this article, recent research that was relevant to the use of acupuncture to treat obesity and obesity-related diseases through the neuroendocrine system, as well as some neural circuits involved, was summarized. Based on this, acupuncture's potential ability to regulate neural circuits and its mechanisms of action in the endocrine system were reviewed, leading to a deeper mechanistic understanding of acupuncture's effects and providing insight and direction for future research about obesity. Please cite this article as: Jiang LY, Tian J, Yang YN, Jia SH, Shu Q. Acupuncture for obesity and related diseases: insight for regulating neural circuit. J Integr Med. 2024; 22(2): 93-101.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Yan Jiang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, Hubei Province, China; School of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan 430079, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jun Tian
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, Hubei Province, China
| | - Ya-Nan Yang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Resources & Wu Gang General Hospital, Wuhan 430080, Hubei Province, China
| | - Shao-Hui Jia
- School of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan 430079, Hubei Province, China
| | - Qing Shu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, Hubei Province, China; School of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan 430079, Hubei Province, China.
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Wang MN, Zhai MX, Wang YT, Dai QF, Liu L, Zhao LP, Xia QY, Li S, Li B. Mechanism of Acupuncture in Treating Obesity: Advances and Prospects. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2024; 52:1-33. [PMID: 38351701 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x24500010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Obesity is a common metabolic syndrome that causes a significant burden on individuals and society. Conventional therapies include lifestyle interventions, bariatric surgery, and pharmacological therapies, which are not effective and have a high risk of adverse events. Acupuncture is an effective alternative for obesity, it modulates the hypothalamus, sympathetic activity and parasympathetic activity, obesity-related hormones (leptin, ghrelin, insulin, and CCK), the brain-gut axis, inflammatory status, adipose tissue browning, muscle blood flow, hypoxia, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) to influence metabolism, eating behavior, motivation, cognition, and the reward system. However, hypothalamic regulation by acupuncture should be further demonstrated in human studies using novel techniques, such as functional MRI (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET), electroencephalogram (EEG), and magnetoencephalography (MEG). Moreover, a longer follow-up phase of clinical trials is required to detect the long-term effects of acupuncture. Also, future studies should investigate the optimal acupuncture therapeutic option for obesity. This review aims to consolidate the recent improvements in the mechanism of acupuncture for obesity as well as discuss the future research prospects and potential of acupuncture for obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Na Wang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Neuromodulation, Beijing 100010, P. R. China
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Life Science, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P. R. China
| | - Miao-Xin Zhai
- Yinghai Hospital, Daxing District, Beijing 100163, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Tong Wang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Neuromodulation, Beijing 100010, P. R. China
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Life Science, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P. R. China
| | - Qiu-Fu Dai
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Neuromodulation, Beijing 100010, P. R. China
| | - Lu Liu
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Neuromodulation, Beijing 100010, P. R. China
| | - Luo-Peng Zhao
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Neuromodulation, Beijing 100010, P. R. China
| | - Qiu-Yu Xia
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Neuromodulation, Beijing 100010, P. R. China
| | - Shen Li
- Department of Emergency, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100010, P. R. China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Neuromodulation, Beijing 100010, P. R. China
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4
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Landgraaf RG, Bloem MN, Fumagalli M, Benninga MA, de Lorijn F, Nieuwdorp M. Acupuncture as multi-targeted therapy for the multifactorial disease obesity: a complex neuro-endocrine-immune interplay. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1236370. [PMID: 37795371 PMCID: PMC10545882 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1236370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of obesity has reached pandemic dimensions. It is associated with multiple comorbidities and is becoming a clinical and public health threat. Obesity is a multifactorial disease with a complex pathophysiology and interplay of various systems. A strong interplay exists between the neuro-endocrine system, the immune system with systemic chronic low-grade inflammation, and microbiome dysbiosis that can lead to the development of obesity, which in turn can exacerbate each of these factors, hence creating a vicious cycle. The conventional treatment with lifestyle modifications such as diet, physical exercise, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery does not always result in sufficient weight control thus paving the way for other strategies. As one such strategy, acupuncture is increasingly used worldwide to treat obesity. This narrative review outlines the evidence for this neuro-endocrine-immune interplay in the pathophysiology of obesity. Furthermore, the existing experimental and clinical evidence of acupuncture as a multi-targeted therapy for obesity is explained and future research perspectives are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Guy Landgraaf
- Department of Internal and Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Sinomedica Gui Sheng Tang, Scientific Department, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Michelle Nicté Bloem
- Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Pediatric Gastroenterology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Massimo Fumagalli
- Sinomedica Gui Sheng Tang, Scientific Department, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Marc Alexander Benninga
- Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Pediatric Gastroenterology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Fleur de Lorijn
- Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Pediatric Gastroenterology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Max Nieuwdorp
- Department of Internal and Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Experimental Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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5
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Lima IGD, Silva JRTD, Silva AGD, Andrade ADS, Sousa LD. Electroacupuncture reduces weight, skinfold thickness and waist circumference and increases skin temperature of the abdominal region in women: a randomized controlled trial. Acupunct Med 2022; 40:425-433. [PMID: 35437025 DOI: 10.1177/09645284221077111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acupuncture, as a complementary and alternative medical treatment, has shown some promise as a therapeutic option for obesity and weight control. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on body weight, body mass index (BMI), skin fold thickness, waist circumference and skin temperature of the abdominal region in non-obese women with excessive abdominal subcutaneous fat. METHODS A total of 50 women with excessive abdominal subcutaneous fat (and average BMI of 22) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: an EA group (n = 25) receiving 10 EA sessions (insertion of needles connected to an electrical stimulator at a frequency of 40 Hz for 40 min) and a control group (n = 25) that received no treatment. Outcome measures evaluated included waist circumference, supra-iliac and abdominal skinfolds, body composition and superficial skin temperature (measured by cutaneous thermography) before and after treatment. RESULTS Compared with the untreated group, women in the EA group exhibited decreased supra-iliac and abdominal skin folds (p < 0.001), waist circumference (p < 0.001), percentage body fat (p = 0.001) and percentage abdominal fat (p < 0.001). In addition, the EA group showed an elevated skin temperature at the site of the treatment. However, EA did not significantly impact body weight (p = 0.01) or BMI (p = 0.2). CONCLUSION EA promoted a reduction in abdominal waist circumference, supra-iliac and abdominal skin folds, and percentage body and abdominal fat in women of normal BMI with excessive abdominal subcutaneous fat, as well as an increase in the superficial skin temperature of the abdominal region. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER RBR-9tsmpp (Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials).
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Gomes de Lima
- Physiotherapy Course, Institute of Motricity Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL), Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Josie Resende Torres da Silva
- Physiotherapy Course, Institute of Motricity Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL), Alfenas, Brazil.,Program of Biosciences Applied to Health, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Amanda Godoy da Silva
- Program of Rehabilitation Sciences, Institute of Motricity Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Alice de Sousa Andrade
- Program of Rehabilitation Sciences, Institute of Motricity Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Ligia de Sousa
- Physiotherapy Course, Institute of Motricity Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL), Alfenas, Brazil.,Program of Rehabilitation Sciences, Institute of Motricity Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil
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6
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de Paula DG, Bohlen TM, Zampieri TT, Mansano NS, Vieira HR, Gusmao DO, Wasinski F, Donato J, Frazao R. Distinct effects of growth hormone deficiency and disruption of hypothalamic kisspeptin system on reproduction of male mice. Life Sci 2021; 285:119970. [PMID: 34562435 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Growth hormone (GH) deficiency is a common cause of late sexual maturation and fertility issues. To determine whether GH-induced effects on reproduction are associated with alterations in hypothalamic kisspeptin system, we studied the male reproduction in two distinct GH deficiency mouse models. In the first model, mice present GH deficiency secondary to arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARH) lesions induced by posnatal monosodium glutamate (MSG) injections. MSG-induced ARH lesions led to significant reductions in hypothalamic Ghrh mRNA expression and consequently growth. Hypothalamic Kiss1 mRNA expression and Kiss1-expressing cells in the ARH were disrupted in the MSG-treated mice. In contrast, kisspeptin immunoreactivity remained preserved in the anteroventral periventricular and rostral periventricular nuclei (AVPV/PeN) of MSG-treated mice. Importantly, ARH lesions caused late sexual maturation and infertility in male mice. In our second mouse model, we studied animals profound GH deficiency due to a loss-of-function mutation in the Ghrhr gene (Ghrhrlit/lit mice). Interestingly, although Ghrhrlit/lit mice exhibited late puberty onset, hypothalamic Kiss1 mRNA expression and hypothalamic kisspeptin fiber density were normal in Ghrhrlit/lit mice. Despite presenting dwarfism, the majority of Ghrhrlit/lit male mice were fertile. These findings suggest that spontaneous GH deficiency during development does not compromise the kisspeptin system. Furthermore, ARH Kiss1-expressing neurons are required for fertility, while AVPV/PeN kisspeptin expression is sufficient to allow maturation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniella G de Paula
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Tabata M Bohlen
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thais Tessari Zampieri
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Naira S Mansano
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Henrique R Vieira
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniela O Gusmao
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Frederick Wasinski
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Jose Donato
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Renata Frazao
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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7
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Obesity Animal Models for Acupuncture and Related Therapy Research Studies. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:6663397. [PMID: 34630614 PMCID: PMC8497105 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6663397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Obesity and related diseases are considered as pandemic representing a worldwide threat for health. Animal models are critical to validate the effects and understand the mechanisms related to classical or innovative preventive and therapeutic strategies. It is, therefore, important to identify the best animal models for translational research, using different evaluation criteria such as the face, construct, and predictive validity. Because the pharmacological treatments and surgical interventions currently used for treating obesity often present many undesirable side effects, relatively high relapse probabilities, acupuncture, electroacupuncture (EA), and related therapies have gained more popularity and attention. Many kinds of experimental animal models have been used for obesity research studies, but in the context of acupuncture, most of the studies were performed in rodent obesity models. Though, are these obesity rodent models really the best for acupuncture or related therapies research studies? In this study, we review different obesity animal models that have been used over the past 10 years for acupuncture and EA research studies. We present their respective advantages, disadvantages, and specific constraints. With the development of research on acupuncture and EA and the increasing interest regarding these approaches, proper animal models are critical for preclinical studies aiming at developing future clinical trials in the human. The aim of the present study is to provide researchers with information and guidance related to the preclinical models that are currently available to investigate the outcomes of acupuncture and related therapies.
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8
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Wang L, Yu CC, Li J, Tian Q, Du YJ. Mechanism of Action of Acupuncture in Obesity: A Perspective From the Hypothalamus. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:632324. [PMID: 33868169 PMCID: PMC8050351 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.632324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a prevalent metabolic disease caused by an imbalance in food intake and energy expenditure. Although acupuncture is widely used in the treatment of obesity in a clinical setting, its mechanism has not been adequately elucidated. As the key pivot of appetite signals, the hypothalamus receives afferent and efferent signals from the brainstem and peripheral tissue, leading to the formation of a complex appetite regulation circuit, thereby effectively regulating food intake and energy homeostasis. This review mainly discusses the relationship between the hypothalamic nuclei, related neuropeptides, brainstem, peripheral signals, and obesity, as well as mechanisms of acupuncture on obesity from the perspective of the hypothalamus, exploring the current evidence and therapeutic targets for mechanism of action of acupuncture in obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Chao-Chao Yu
- Department of Tuina, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- The Fourth Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jia Li
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing Tian
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan-Jun Du
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Yan-Jun Du,
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9
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Electroacupuncture Prevents Osteoarthritis of High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:9380965. [PMID: 32724821 PMCID: PMC7366230 DOI: 10.1155/2020/9380965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The effects of acupuncture on osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis have been demonstrated in vitro and in animal models. However, the potential for acupuncture to mediate protective effects on obese-induced OA has not been examined. Here, we investigated the effects of different acupuncture patterns on OA pathogenesis in high-fat diet- (HFD-) induced obese rats. After 12-week diet-induced obesity, obese rats were treated with three acupuncture protocols for 2 weeks, including ST36, GB34, and ST36+GB34. The results showed that the three acupuncture protocols both prevented obesity-induced cartilage matrix degradation and MMP expression and mitigated obesity-induced systemic and local inflammation but had different regulatory effects on lipid metabolism and gut microbiota disorder of obese-induced OA rats. Furthermore, the three acupuncture protocols increased the microbial diversity and altered the structure of community of feces in obese rats. We found that ST36 and GB34 could inhibit proinflammatory shift in the gut microbiome with an increase in the ratio of Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes and promote the recovery of relative abundance of Clostridium, Akkermansia, Butyricimonas, and Lactococcus. Although both ST36 and GB34 had an anti-inflammatory effect on serum inflammatory mediators, only the acupuncture protocol with both ST36 and GB34 could effectively inhibit LPS-mediated joint inflammation in obesity rats. Therefore, relieving obesity-related chronic inflammation, lipid metabolism disorder, and gut microbiota disorder may be an important mechanism for acupuncture with ST36 and GB34 to promote OA recovery.
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10
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Yu Z. Neuromechanism of acupuncture regulating gastrointestinal motility. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:3182-3200. [PMID: 32684734 PMCID: PMC7336328 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i23.3182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture has been used in China for thousands of years and has become more widely accepted by doctors and patients around the world. A large number of clinical studies and animal experiments have confirmed that acupuncture has a benign adjustment effect on gastrointestinal (GI) movement; however, the mechanism of this effect is unclear, especially in terms of neural mechanisms, and there are still many areas that require further exploration. This article reviews the recent data on the neural mechanism of acupuncture on GI movements. We summarize the neural mechanism of acupuncture on GI movement from four aspects: acupuncture signal transmission, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, the enteric nervous system, and the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu Province, China
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11
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Kim KW, Shin WC, Choi MS, Cho JH, Park HJ, Yoo HH, Song MY. Effects of acupuncture on anthropometric and serum metabolic parameters in premenopausal overweight and obese women: a randomized, patient- and assessor-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial. Acupunct Med 2020; 39:30-40. [PMID: 32299241 DOI: 10.1177/0964528420912259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the effect of acupuncture on obesity-related parameters with regard to metabolomics. METHODS This two-arm parallel, patient- and assessor-blind, sham-controlled randomized clinical trial included 120 obese participants. Participants were randomized into two groups. The treatment group received a combined intervention of manual acupuncture (MA) plus electroacupuncture (EA), while the control group received a combination of sham acupuncture interventions consisting of sham MA plus sham EA for 6 weeks. The serum lipid levels were measured as the primary outcome measure and anthropometric parameters and serum metabolic profiles including amino acids and carnitines were measured as secondary outcome measures. RESULTS The serum lipid levels and anthropometric measurements did not significantly differ between groups, while body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference were improved within each group and the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased over time in the treatment group. There were no significant differences in amino acid levels between groups, while certain carnitine (C2, C4, C6, and l-carnitine) levels were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the treatment group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION In summary, 6 weeks of acupuncture treatment did not affect anthropometric and serum metabolic parameters, with the exception of certain carnitines, when compared to sham acupuncture. The observation of increased carnitine levels in the acupuncture group could result in potential long-term benefits to obese individuals. Additional studies are needed to investigate the long-term effects of acupuncture on lipid metabolism and the underlying mechanism of action. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02066090).
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Affiliation(s)
- Koh-Woon Kim
- Department of Korean Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Chul Shin
- Department of Korean Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Sun Choi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology and College of Pharmacy, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Heung Cho
- Department of Korean Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hi-Joon Park
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Hyun Yoo
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology and College of Pharmacy, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Yeon Song
- Department of Korean Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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12
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Tang Q, Lu M, Xu B, Wang Y, Lu S, Yu Z, Jing X, Yuan J. Electroacupuncture Regulates Inguinal White Adipose Tissue Browning by Promoting Sirtuin-1-Dependent PPAR γ Deacetylation and Mitochondrial Biogenesis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:607113. [PMID: 33551999 PMCID: PMC7859442 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.607113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies had suggested that electroacupuncture (EA) can promote white adipose tissue (WAT) browning to counter obesity. But the mechanism was still not very clear. AIM In this study, we aim to study the effect of EA on promoting inguinal WAT (iWAT) browning and its possible mechanism. METHOD Three-week-old rats were randomly divided into a normal diet (ND) group and a high-fat diet (HFD) group. After 10 weeks, the HFD rats were grouped into HFD + EA group and HFD control group. Rats in the EA group were electro-acupunctured for 4 weeks on Tianshu (ST25) acupoint under gas anesthesia with isoflurane, while the rats in HFD group were under gas anesthesia only. Body weight and cumulative food intake were monitored, and H&E staining was performed to assess adipocyte area. The effect of EA on WAT was assessed by qPCR, immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation and Co-immunoprecipitation. Mitochondria were isolated from IWAT to observe the expression of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). RESULTS The body weight, WAT/body weight ratio and cumulative food consumption obviously decreased (P < 0.05) in the EA group. The expressions of brown adipose tissue (BAT) markers were increased in the iWAT of EA rats. Nevertheless, the mRNA expressions of WAT genes were suppressed by 4-week EA treatment. Moreover, EA increased the protein expressions of SIRT-1, PPARγ, PGC-1α, UCP1 and PRDM16 which trigger the molecular conversion of iWAT browning. The decrease of PPARγ acetylation was also found in EA group, indicating EA could advance WAT-browning through SIRT-1 dependent PPARγ deacetylation pathway. Besides, we found that EA could activate AMPK to further regulate PGC-1α-TFAM-UCP1 pathway to induce mitochondrial biogenesis. CONCLUSION In conclusion, EA can remodel WAT to BAT through inducing SIRT-1 dependent PPARγ deacetylation, and regulating PGC-1α-TFAM-UCP1 pathway to induce mitochondrial biogenesis. This may be one of the mechanisms by which EA affects weight loss.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Xinyue Jing
- *Correspondence: Xinyue Jing, ; Jinhong Yuan,
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Yao J, He Z, Chen Y, Xu M, Shi Y, Zhang L, Li Y. Acupuncture and weight loss in Asians: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2019; 98:e16815. [PMID: 31415397 PMCID: PMC6831107 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000016815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acupuncture is effective for reducing body weight; however, evidence in Asian populations is lacking. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture for body weight reduction in Asians. METHODS The Medline, Embase, Cochrane library, and Chinese databases were searched for relevant studies through October 20, 2018. Publications describing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing acupuncture with other treatments for the reduction of body weight were compiled. Reviewers assessed bias and collected data on trial characteristics and outcomes. The study was conducted based on the reporting items of the guidelines for systematic evaluation and meta-analysis (PRISMA). Review Manager 5.2 software was used to calculate weight mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS Twelve RCTs involving 1151 subjects were included. Compared with the control groups, the acupuncture groups exhibited significantly greater reductions of body mass index (BMI)(WMD -1.20kg/m2; 95% CI -1.91, -0.48)and waist circumference (WMD -1.85 cm; 95% CI -3.20, -0.49) In the subgroup analyses, significant differences in the reduction of BMI was observed between the acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups, the acupuncture plus diet and exercise, and the diet and exercise groups, and the acupuncture and no intervention groups, but not between the acupuncture plus exercise and exercise groups [corrected]. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that acupuncture is effective in the intervention of overweight/obesity in Asians; however, compared with exercise alone, acupuncture combined with exercise had no effect on the BMI or waist circumstance in the short term. Long-term studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in weight reduction in Asians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junpeng Yao
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Zhiqiong He
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Diabetes Mellitus Prevention and Control Center of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Chen
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Mingmin Xu
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Yunzhou Shi
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Lin Zhang
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Diabetes Mellitus Prevention and Control Center of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Li
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Acupuncture Regulating Gut Microbiota in Abdominal Obese Rats Induced by High-Fat Diet. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2019; 2019:4958294. [PMID: 31275411 PMCID: PMC6582896 DOI: 10.1155/2019/4958294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Objective To investigate the effects of acupuncture on metabolic health and gut microbiota dysbiosis in diet-induced abdominal obese model. Materials and Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly distributed into normal chow diet (NCD) group and high-fat diet (HFD) group. After 12 weeks of HFD feeding, an abdominal obese rat model was established. The abdominal obese rats were further assigned to acupuncture group (n=7) and nontreated HFD group (n=7). Acupuncture was applied to bilateral GB 26 of rats for 8 weeks. Subsequently, the body weight, waist circumference (WC), visceral fat mass, and liver weight were measured weekly in all rats. Metabolic parameters such as total cholesterol, triglyceride, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, and blood glucose were measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The serum levels of insulin (INS) were determined using Rat INS ELISA Kit. Analysis of gut microbiota was carried out by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results Acupuncture decreased the body weight, WC, and visceral adipose tissues of HFD-induced abdominal obese rats. In addition, insulin sensitivity, glucose homeostasis, and lipid metabolism were improved by this treatment. Furthermore, electroacupuncture effectively modified the composition of gut microbiota, mainly via decreasing Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and increasing Prevotella_9 abundance. Conclusions Electroacupuncture can ameliorate abdominal obesity and prevent metabolic disorders in HFD-induced abdominal obese rats, via the modulation of gut microbiota.
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Lu SF, Tang YX, Zhang T, Fu SP, Hong H, Cheng Y, Xu HX, Jing XY, Yu ML, Zhu BM. Electroacupuncture Reduces Body Weight by Regulating Fat Browning-Related Proteins of Adipose Tissue in HFD-Induced Obese Mice. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:353. [PMID: 31244685 PMCID: PMC6580183 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study investigated the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) and its potential underlying mechanisms on adipose tissue in obese mice. Methods: Three-week-old male C56BL/6 mice were randomly divided to feed or not to feed high-fat diet (HFD), named HFD group and chow diet (CD) group, respectively. After 12 weeks, CD and HFD mice were randomly divided into two groups, respectively, to receive or not receive EA for 4 weeks. Body weight (BW) was monitored. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test and metabolic chamber recordings were performed. Blood samples and adipose tissue were collected for the analysis of leptin, triglyceride levels, and fat browning-related proteins. Results: EA significantly reduced food intake, BW, and white adipose tissue (WAT)/BW ratio; decreased the adipocyte size and serum concentrations of triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol; and increased oxygen consumption in HFD mice. Compared with the CD mice, the HFD mice had elevated fasting serum glucose level and impaired glucose tolerance; however, these parameters were decreased by EA treatment. Meanwhile, EA promoted the protein and mRNA expressions of UCP1, PRDM16, and PGC-1α in adipose tissue, and activated sympathetic nerves via p-TH, A2AR, and β3AR in white adipose tissue. Conclusions: EA reduced food intake, BW, TG, and cholesterol, and improved glucose tolerance in HFD mice. This ameliorative effect of EA on obesity-related symptoms associated with its promoted adipose tissue plasticity via activating sympathetic nerves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Feng Lu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue-Xia Tang
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Huai'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huaian, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shu-Ping Fu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Hong
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Hou-Xi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xing-Yue Jing
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Mei-Ling Yu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Bing-Mei Zhu
- Regenerative Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Acupuncture and Related Therapies for Obesity: A Network Meta-Analysis. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2018; 2018:9569685. [PMID: 30363899 PMCID: PMC6186334 DOI: 10.1155/2018/9569685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is a worldwide public health problem. Currently, increasing evidence suggests acupuncture and related therapies are effective for obesity. This network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed to compare the effectiveness of different acupuncture and related therapies. We searched potential randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in three international databases. Thirty-four trials involving 2283 participants were included. Pairwise meta-analysis showed that acupuncture and related therapies were superior to lifestyle modification and placebo in reducing weight and body mass index (BMI). Based on decreases in body weight, results from NMA showed that acupoint catgut embedding (standard mean difference [SMD]: 1.26; 95% credible interval [95% CI], 0.46–2.06), acupuncture (SMD: 2.72; 95% CrI, 0.06–5.29), and combination of acupuncture and related theories (SMD: 3.65; 95% CrI, 0.96–6.94) were more effective than placebo. Another NMA result indicated that acupoint catgut embedding (SMD: 0.63; 95% CI, 0.25–1.11), acupuncture (SMD: 1.28; 95% CrI, 0.43–2.06), combination of acupuncture and related therapies (SMD: 1.44; 95% CrI, 0.64–2.38), and electroacupuncture (SMD: 0.60; 95% CrI, 0.03–1.22) were superior to lifestyle modification in decreasing BMI. Combination of acupuncture and related therapies was ranked the optimal method for both reducing weight and BMI. Further studies will clarify which combination of acupuncture and related therapies is better.
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Acupuncture on Obesity: Clinical Evidence and Possible Neuroendocrine Mechanisms. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2018; 2018:6409389. [PMID: 30013603 PMCID: PMC6022277 DOI: 10.1155/2018/6409389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Objective Acupuncture, as one of the complementary and alternative medicines, represents an efficient therapeutic option for obesity control. We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture in obesity and also summarized the available studies on exploring the mechanisms. Design We searched six databases from the inception to April 2017 without language restriction. Eligible studies consisted of acupuncture with comparative controls ((1) sham acupuncture, (2) no treatment, (3) diet and exercise, and (4) conventional medicine). The primary outcomes consisted of BMI, body weight reduction, and incidence of cardiovascular events (CVD). Secondary outcomes included waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body fat mass percent, body fat mass (kg), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), glucose, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) reduction, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) increase, and adverse effects. The quality of RCTs was assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Subgroup analyses were performed according to types of acupuncture. A random effects model was used to adjust for the heterogeneity of the included studies. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots. Main Results We included 21 studies with 1389 participants. When compared with sham acupuncture, significant reductions in BMI (MD=-1.22, 95%CI=-1.87 to -0.56), weight (MD=-1.54, 95%CI=-2.98 to -0.11), body fat mass (kg) (MD=-1.31, 95%CI=-2.47 to -0.16), and TC (SMD=-0.63, 95%CI=-1.00 to -0.25) were found. When compared with no treatment group, significant reductions of BMI (MD=-1.92, 95%CI=-3.04 to -0.79), WHR (MD=-0.05, 95%CI=-0.09 to -0.02), TC (MD=-0.26, 95%CI=-0.48 to -0.03), and TG (MD=-0.29 95%CI=-0.39 to -0.18) were found. When compared with diet and exercise group, significant reduction in BMI (MD=-1.24, 95%CI=-1.87 to -0.62) and weight (MD=-3.27 95%CI=-5.07 to -1.47) was found. Adverse effects were reported in 5 studies. Conclusions We concluded that acupuncture is an effective treatment for obesity and inferred that neuroendocrine regulation might be involved.
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Electroacupuncture Reduces Weight in Diet-Induced Obese Rats via Hypothalamic Tsc1 Promoter Demethylation and Inhibition of the Activity of mTORC1 Signaling Pathway. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2018; 2018:3039783. [PMID: 29853949 PMCID: PMC5944273 DOI: 10.1155/2018/3039783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Subject The study aimed to investigate the mechanism of electroacupuncture reducing weight via tuberous sclerosis complex 1 (Tsc1) promoter methylation, inhibiting the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway. Materials and Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into chow-fed group (chow group) or high-fat diet group (HF group) for 14 weeks. The obesity rats in HF group were randomly divided into electroacupuncture group (EA group) and diet-induced obesity (DIO) group, which received EA stimulation on bilateral ST25, RN12, SP6, and ST36 for 4 weeks or no further treatment, respectively. Methylation of the Tsc1 gene promoter and expression of agouti-related protein (AgRP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and proopiomelanocortin (PoMC) were detected at the 18th week. Results At week 18, weight, body fat, and the body fat rate in DIO group were significantly higher than those of the chow and EA group. Compared with the chow group, the DIO group had increased methylation of the Tsc1 gene promoter and expression of mTORC1, AgRP, and NPY gene and decreased PoMC in the hypothalamus; after EA, methylation of the Tsc1 gene promoter, mRNA, and protein of the mTORC1 and expression of AgRP and NPY gene decreased and PoMC increased significantly. Conclusions Our study could shed light on the potential pathway where EA exerts effects on the mechanism of EA treatment for obesity through the hypothalamic Tsc1 promoter demethylation and inhibition of the activity of mTORC1 signaling pathway.
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Jie X, Li X, Song JQ, Wang D, Wang JH. Anti-inflammatory and autonomic effects of electroacupuncture in a rat model of diet-induced obesity. Acupunct Med 2018; 36:103-109. [PMID: 29487062 DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2016-011223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) by measurement of vagal activity in rats with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. METHODS Diet-induced obesity (DIO) was induced in 30 rats by feeding them a HFD for 12 weeks. A further 10 rats fed normal food comprised the lean diet (LD) control group. DIO rats were further subdivided into three groups that received a HFD only (HFD group, n=10), a HFD plus electroacupuncture (HFD+EA group, n=10) or a HFD plus minimal acupuncture (HFD+MA group, n=10). EA and MA treatments were continued for 8 weeks. Heart rate variability (HRV) was used to measure the function of the autonomic nervous system before and after treatment. ELISA was used to determine acetylcholine (ACh) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels in the serum. Real-time PCR was used to assess the mRNA expression of α7-subtype nicotinic acetylcholine cholinergic receptors (α7nAChRs) and TNF-α in the mesenteric white adipose tissues (MWAT). RESULTS EA but not MA significantly reduced rats' bodyweight. No difference was found in the low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) and the balance between LF and HF (LF/HF) components of HRV before treatment. After the EA intervention, HF was elevated and LF/HF was reduced in the HFD+EA group comparedwith the HFD group. TNF-α in the serum and MWAT were increased in the HFD group, but were reduced in the HFD+EA group. Furthermore, EA promoted expression of α7nAChRs and ACh in the MWAT. There was no difference between the HFD and HFD+MA groups for any indices. CONCLUSIONS EA enhanced vagal activity, promoted ACh release and activated α7nAChRs in the MWAT, leading to inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Jie
- Department of Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit, Nanyang Second General Hospital, Nanyang, Henan, China
| | - Xu Li
- Department of Medicine, Nanyang Second General Hospital, Nanyang, Henan, China
| | - Jian-Qing Song
- Department of Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit, Nanyang Second General Hospital, Nanyang, Henan, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit, Nanyang Second General Hospital, Nanyang, Henan, China
| | - Jian-Hua Wang
- Department of Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit, Nanyang Second General Hospital, Nanyang, Henan, China
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Central IGF1 improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in mice. Nutr Diabetes 2017; 7:2. [PMID: 29259155 PMCID: PMC5865549 DOI: 10.1038/s41387-017-0002-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) is a key factor for tissue growth and fuel metabolism. The potential function of central IGF1 remains unclear. We previously observed that IGF1 expression is increased in the hypothalamus of obese mice lacking STAT5 in the central nervous system (CNS). In this study, we explored the potential metabolic function of central IGF1 by intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of IGF1, over-expression of central IGF1 by administering an adeno-associated virus (AAV), and ICV injection of an anti-IGF1 antibody. Mice that over-expressed central IGF1 displayed increased appetite, improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, decreased Pomc levels in the hypothalamus, and increased UCP1 expression in brown fat tissue. This is the first study demonstrating that central IGF1 regulates several important metabolic functions.
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Fu SP, Hong H, Lu SF, Hu CJ, Xu HX, Li Q, Yu ML, Ou C, Meng JZ, Wang TL, Hennighausen L, Zhu BM. Genome-wide regulation of electro-acupuncture on the neural Stat5-loss-induced obese mice. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181948. [PMID: 28806763 PMCID: PMC5555711 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture is reported to be effective in treating obesity related illnesses, but its mechanism is still unclear. To investigate this mechanism we applied electro-acupuncture (EA) in a mouse model of obesity and used RNA-seq to identify molecular consequences. Deletion of the transcription factor STAT5 from neurons (Stat5NKO) led to obesity. Acupuncture, in turn, reduced body weight and the ratio of epididymal white adipose tissue (Epi-WAT) to body weight, and it also decreased plasma concentrations of glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol. In addition, EA increased cold endurance of Stat5NKO obese mice. EA reversed altered gene expressions in the hypothalamus and Epi-WAT, especially in the hypothalamus in Stat5NKO obese mice. This study provides, for the first time, insight into genomic networks of obesity and their modulation by electro-acupuncture, which in turn reveals potential mechanisms that explain acupuncture-induced weight-loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Ping Fu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Hong
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Sheng-Feng Lu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Chen-Jun Hu
- School of Information Technology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Hou-Xi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Qian Li
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Mei-Ling Yu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Chen Ou
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian-Zhong Meng
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Tian-Lin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Lothar Hennighausen
- Laboratory of Genetics and Physiology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Bing-Mei Zhu
- Regenerative Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- * E-mail:
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Electroacupuncture Reduces Weight Gain Induced by Rosiglitazone through PPARγ and Leptin Receptor in CNS. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2016; 2016:8098561. [PMID: 26904147 PMCID: PMC4745334 DOI: 10.1155/2016/8098561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
We investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on protecting the weight gain side effect of rosiglitazone (RSG) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats and its possible mechanism in central nervous system (CNS). Our study showed that RSG (5 mg/kg) significantly increased the body weight and food intake of the T2DM rats. After six-week treatment with RSG combined with EA, body weight, food intake, and the ratio of IWAT to body weight decreased significantly, whereas the ratio of BAT to body weight increased markedly. HE staining indicated that the T2DM-RSG rats had increased size of adipocytes in their IWAT, but EA treatment reduced the size of adipocytes. EA effectively reduced the lipid contents without affecting the antidiabetic effect of RSG. Furthermore, we noticed that the expression of PPARγ gene in hypothalamus was reduced by EA, while the expressions of leptin receptor and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were increased. Our results suggest that EA is an effective approach for inhibiting weight gain in T2DM rats treated by RSG. The possible mechanism might be through increased levels of leptin receptor and STAT3 and decreased PPARγ expression, by which food intake of the rats was reduced and RSG-induced weight gain was inhibited.
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Kim KW, Yoo HH, Cho JH, Yang YC, Kim JI, Kim SY, Park JY, Park HJ, Song MY. Effects of acupuncture on serum metabolic parameters in premenopausal obese women: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2015; 16:327. [PMID: 26238111 PMCID: PMC4523909 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-015-0867-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 07/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Complex metabolic changes cause obesity, making weight loss difficult. For this reason, understanding metabolism is important, and considering the shortcomings of conventional treatment options for obesity, acupuncture is a possible option. However, evidence supporting its efficacy on metabolic parameters in obese patients is lacking. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of acupuncture on serum metabolic parameters in premenopausal obese women. Methods/design This ongoing study is a randomized, patient-assessor blind, two-arm parallel non-penetrating sham-controlled clinical trial. Eligible participants, premenopausal adult women (19 years of age or older) with a clinical diagnosis of obesity (body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or more) blinded to the treatment received, will be randomly allocated blindly into the real acupuncture treatment group (manual acupuncture plus electroacupuncture, n = 60) or the sham acupuncture control group (sham acupuncture plus placebo acupuncture without electrical stimulation, n = 60) and receive treatment two times a week for a total of 12 sessions over 6 weeks. The primary outcome measure is the serum cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels at baseline and endpoint. The secondary outcomes are body weight, body fat mass, muscle mass, waist and hip circumference, other serum metabolic profiles, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), Stress Response Inventory (SRI), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), the Korean version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and urine metabolites. Adverse events will be assessed at every visit. Discussion The results of this trial (which will be available in 2015) will provide important clinical evidence for the effect of acupuncture on serum metabolites and demonstrate how acupuncture can be helpful for the treatment of obesity. Trial registration Trial registration registered via US National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials registry (ClinicalTrials.gov) on 11 November 2014, identifier: NCT02066090.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koh-Woon Kim
- Department of Korean Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hye Hyun Yoo
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology and College of Pharmacy, Hanyang University, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, 426-791, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jae-Heung Cho
- Department of Korean Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yo-Chan Yang
- Department of Korean Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701, Republic of Korea.
| | - Je-In Kim
- Department of Korean Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701, Republic of Korea.
| | - Song-Yi Kim
- Studies of Translational Acupuncture Research, Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ji-Yeun Park
- Studies of Translational Acupuncture Research, Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hi-Joon Park
- Studies of Translational Acupuncture Research, Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Acupoint and Meridian, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701, Republic of Korea.
| | - Mi-Yeon Song
- Department of Korean Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701, Republic of Korea.
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Xu J, Chen L, Tang L, Chang L, Liu S, Tan J, Chen Y, Ren Y, Liang F, Cui J. Electroacupuncture inhibits weight gain in diet-induced obese rats by activating hypothalamic LKB1-AMPK signaling. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2015; 15:147. [PMID: 25963634 PMCID: PMC4485871 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-015-0667-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2014] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background Electroacupuncture (EA) is reported to be an effective treatment for obesity, but its mechanism is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between hypothalamic LKB1-AMPK-ACC signaling and EA. Methods Fifty male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into two groups fed either chow (chow-fed group) or high-fat diet (HF group). After 4 weeks of feeding, obese rats in the HF group (defined as weighing 20 % or more than rats in the chow-fed group) were randomly allocated into an EA or Diet-induced obesity (DIO) group. The EA group was given EA on bilateral ST25–ST36 for 4 weeks, while the DIO group received no further intervention. Body weight of the chow-fed, DIO, and EA groups were measured weekly. mRNA and protein levels of the hypothalamic LKB1-AMPK-ACC signaling pathway were detected using real-time (RT)-PCR and western blot, respectively. Results After 4 weeks of EA treatment, the weight growth trend of rats in the EA group was inhibited compared with those in the DIO group. RT-PCR and western blotting showed that EA upregulated the transcription of Adenosine 5′-monophosphate -activated protein kinase α2 (AMPKα2), promoted protein expression of Liver kinase B1 (LKB1) and AMPKα1, and inhibited acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) protein expression in the hypothalamus. Conclusions This study suggests that hypothalamic LKB1-AMPK-ACC signaling plays an important role in EA treatment for obesity.
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Acupuncture promotes white adipose tissue browning by inducing UCP1 expression on DIO mice. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2014; 14:501. [PMID: 25514854 PMCID: PMC4301852 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Background To study the influence of acupuncture and its possible mechanism on white adipose tissue of high fat diet-induced obese. Methods Four-week-old C57BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into a normal diet group and a high-fat diet (HFD) group. After 8 weeks, the HFD mice were randomly divided into Electro-acupuncture (EA) group and control group. Mice in the EA group were electro-acupunctured, under physical restraint, on Zusanli (ST36) and Neiting (ST44) acupoints, while the mice in the control group were under physical restraint only. Body weight and food intake were monitored, and serum leptin, cholesterol and triglyceride levels were measured by using biochemistrical methods. The effect of EA on white adipose tissues (WAT) was assessed by qPCR, immunobloting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunoprecipitation and cold endurance experiment. Results The WAT/body weight ratio decreased (P < 0.05) in the EA group, albeit no significant difference on food consumption between EA and control groups. The difference in the darkness of Epi-WAT between EA and control groups could be distinguished visually. HE staining indicated that the EA mice had an increased number of UCP1-immunoreactive paucilocular adipocytes in their WAT. The expressions of brown adipose tissue (BAT) markers, including UCP1, COX4il and Nrtf1 were increased in the WAT of EA mice, acetylation of Pparγ was decreased by electro-acupuncture. Conclusion EA can remodel WAT to BAT through inducing UCP1 expression, and this may be one of the mechanisms by which acupuncture affects weight loss.
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Chronic Electrical Stimulation at Acupoints Reduces Body Weight and Improves Blood Glucose in Obese Rats via Autonomic Pathway. Obes Surg 2014; 25:1209-16. [DOI: 10.1007/s11695-014-1521-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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The effects of auricular electroacupuncture on obesity in female patients--a prospective randomized placebo-controlled pilot study. Complement Ther Med 2013; 22:21-5. [PMID: 24559812 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2013.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Revised: 09/24/2013] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity is a chronic condition related to serious morbidity and mortality of increasing incidence and prevalence. Several studies show a significantly higher weight loss with acupuncture treatment. This is the first prospective, randomized, double-blinded study, testing the effects of auricular electroacupuncture on weight loss in obese female patients. METHODS 56 female obese patients (age>18, Body Mass Index, BMI>25) were randomized to receive either auricular acupuncture with electrical stimulation with a P-Stim® device (verum group, n=28) or placebo treatment with a P-Stim® dummy (n=28) for four days. Three auricular acupuncture points were chosen (hunger 18, stomach 87 and colon 91). The treatment was performed once a week for a period of six weeks. A follow-up visit was performed after 4 weeks. At each visit body weight, BMI (Body Mass Index) and body fat were measured. RESULTS Relative reduction of body weight was significantly greater in the verum group (-3.73%; CI=-4.70 to -2.76) than in the placebo group (-0.70%; CI=-1.57 to +0.16; p<0.001) In addition we also observed a significant reduction of BMI (p<0.001) in the verum group (-3.62%; CI=-4.39 to -2.84) compared to placebo (-0.82%; CI=-1.55 to -0.10; p<0.001). No patient reported side effects related to acupuncture. CONCLUSION In conclusion electrical auricular acupuncture could be a safe, additive, non-pharmacological treatment in obese patients.
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Belivani M, Dimitroula C, Katsiki N, Apostolopoulou M, Cummings M, Hatzitolios AI. Acupuncture in the treatment of obesity: a narrative review of the literature. Acupunct Med 2012; 31:88-97. [PMID: 23153472 DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2012-010247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is one of the leading health risk factors worldwide and is associated with several other risk factors and health problems including type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and malignancies. Current conventional therapeutic strategies for obesity cannot achieve adequate weight control in all patients, so complementary types of treatment are also performed. Acupuncture, one of the oldest healing practices, represents the most rapidly growing complementary therapy which is recognised by both the National Institutes of Health and the WHO. A previous review concluded that acupuncture was superior to lifestyle advice, to sham acupuncture and to conventional medication. In this narrative review, the possible mechanisms of actions and the results of recent experimental and clinical studies with different forms of acupuncture (eg, body, auricular, manual and electroacupuncture) are presented. In particular, the effects of acupuncture on anorexigenic and orexigenic peptides, insulin resistance, lipid metabolism and inflammatory markers are discussed. Both experimental and clinical current data suggest that acupuncture exerts beneficial effects on the mechanisms of obesity. Some data suggest that electroacupuncture may be more effective than manual acupuncture; however, the most effective frequency remains controversial. Combination of different forms of acupuncture with diet and exercise seems to be necessary for achieving and maintaining weight loss. Further prospective clinical trials are needed to establish the effectiveness of this complementary method for obesity treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Belivani
- First Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA Hospital, 1 Stilponos Kyriakidi Street, 54646, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Lai X, Wang J, Nabar NR, Pan S, Tang C, Huang Y, Hao M, Yang Z, Ma C, Zhang J, Chew H, He Z, Yang J, Su B, Zhang J, Liang J, Sneed KB, Zhou SF. Proteomic response to acupuncture treatment in spontaneously hypertensive rats. PLoS One 2012; 7:e44216. [PMID: 22984478 PMCID: PMC3440387 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2012] [Accepted: 08/03/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous animal and clinical studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective alternative treatment in the management of hypertension, but the mechanism is unclear. This study investigated the proteomic response in the nervous system to treatment at the Taichong (LR3) acupoint in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Unanesthetized rats were subject to 5-min daily acupuncture treatment for 7 days. Blood pressure was monitored over 7 days. After euthanasia on the 7th day, rat medullas were dissected, homogenized, and subject to 2D gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF analysis. The results indicate that blood pressure stabilized after the 5th day of acupuncture, and compared with non-acupoint treatment, Taichong-acupunctured rat’s systolic pressure was reduced significantly (P<0.01), though not enough to bring blood pressure down to normal levels. The different treatment groups also showed differential protein expression: the 2D images revealed 571±15 proteins in normal SD rats’ medulla, 576±31 proteins in SHR’s medulla, 597±44 proteins in medulla of SHR after acupuncturing Taichong, and 616±18 proteins in medulla of SHR after acupuncturing non-acupoint. In the medulla of Taichong group, compared with non-acupoint group, seven proteins were down-regulated: heat shock protein-90, synapsin-1, pyruvate kinase isozyme, NAD-dependent deacetylase sirtuin-2, protein kinase C inhibitor protein 1, ubiquitin hydrolase isozyme L1, and myelin basic protein. Six proteins were up-regulated: glutamate dehydrogenase 1, aldehyde dehydrogenase 2, glutathione S-transferase M5, Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor 1, DJ-1 protein and superoxide dismutase. The altered expression of several proteins by acupuncture has been confirmed by ELISA, Western blot and qRT-PCR assays. The results indicate an increase in antioxidant enzymes in the medulla of the SHRs subject to acupuncture, which may provide partial explanation for the antihypertensive effect of acupuncture. Further studies are warranted to investigate the role of oxidative stress modulation by acupuncture in the treatment of hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinsheng Lai
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiayou Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Fundamental Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- * E-mail: (SFZ); (JW)
| | - Neel R. Nabar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Sanqiang Pan
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunzhi Tang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Huang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, School of Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mufeng Hao
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Fundamental Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhonghua Yang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Fundamental Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunmei Ma
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Fundamental Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Fundamental Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Helen Chew
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Zhenquan He
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Fundamental Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junjun Yang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baogui Su
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Surgery, The Third Hospital of Nanchang, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jun Liang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Kevin B. Sneed
- Department of Pharmacotherapeutics and Clinical Research, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Shu-Feng Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SFZ); (JW)
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Tian Q, Wang L, Yao L, Zhang L, Zhang H. Effects of Zusanli electroacupuncture on somatostatin expression in the rat brainstem. J Mol Neurosci 2012; 49:28-37. [PMID: 22744633 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-012-9843-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2012] [Accepted: 06/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint on somatostatin mRNA expression in the rat brainstem. A total of 96 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to a control (n = 24), restraint (n = 24), pseudopoint-EA (n = 24), or Zusanli-EA (n = 24) group. The rats received stimulation for 30 min at 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after stimulation. Brainstem samples (n = 6 for each group at each time point) were collected, and somatostatin expression was assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, northern blot, and immunohistochemical staining. Somatostatin mRNA expression was inhibited at 2 h after EA stimulation, but an increase was seen at 6 and 8 h in the Zusanli-EA group compared to the three control groups. With respect to immunohistochemical staining, the number of somatostatin-positive cells in the brainstem was increased in the Zusanli-EA group at 6 and 8 h after stimulation compared to the 2- and 4-h time point. These results indicate that Zusanli-EA increased somatostatin mRNA and protein expression in the brainstem. Somatostatin may therefore be involved in some of the analgesic effects of Zusanli-EA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghua Tian
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 23 Youzheng Street, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China
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