Acupuncture on ST36, CV4 and KI1 Suppresses the Progression of Methionine- and Choline-Deficient Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Mice.

Xiangjin Meng,Junji Moriya,Junji Kobayashi,Jing Zhang,Xin Guo,Reimon Yamaguchi,Sohsuke Yamada

doi:10.3390/metabo9120299

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide, and its treatment remain a constant challenge. A number of clinical trials have shown that acupuncture treatment has beneficial effects for patients with NAFLD, but the molecular mechanisms underlying its action are still largely unknown. In this study, we established a mouse model of NAFLD by administering a methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) diet and selected three acupoints (ST36, CV4, and KI1) or nonacupoints (sham) for needling. We then investigated the effects of acupuncture treatment on the progression of NAFLD and the underlying mechanisms. After two weeks of acupuncture treatment, the liver in the needling-nonapcupoint group (NG) mice appeared pale and yellowish in color, while that in the needling-acupoint group (AG) showed a bright red color. Histologically, fewer lipid droplets and inflammatory foci were observed in the AG liver than in the NG liver. Furthermore, the expression of proinflammatory signaling factors was significantly downregulated in the AG liver. A lipid analysis showed that the levels of triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acid (FFA) were lower in the AG liver than in the NG liver, with an altered expression of lipid metabolism-related factors as well. Moreover, the numbers of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)-positive hepatocytes and levels of hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were significantly lower in AG mice than in NG mice. In line with these results, a higher expressions of antioxidant factors was found in the AG liver than in the NG liver. Our results indicate that acupuncture repressed the progression of NAFLD by inhibiting inflammatory reactions, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting lipid metabolism of hepatocytes, suggesting that this approach might be an important complementary treatment for NAFLD.

Highlights

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common clinicopathological conditions in chronic liver disease and is characterized by an obvious increase in fat deposition in the hepatocytes of the liver parenchyma [1]
Several agents have shown some benefits for patients with NAFLD, even the most promising of such pharmacological agents are associated with significant adverse effects, and none have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for NAFLD therapy [3]
Many modern studies have proven the efficacy of acupuncture against a wide range of diseases [21,22,23]

Summary

Introduction

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common clinicopathological conditions in chronic liver disease and is characterized by an obvious increase in fat deposition in the hepatocytes of the liver parenchyma [1]. NAFLD affects approximately 40% of the population worldwide, and the prevalence is increasing annually all over the world [2]. This disease has been considered to carry a high risk of developing into liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Several agents have shown some benefits for patients with NAFLD, even the most promising of such pharmacological agents are associated with significant adverse effects, and none have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for NAFLD therapy [3]. Balancing the benefits and risks in drugs for long-term treatment remains a constant challenge that has hampered the development of therapy strategies for NAFLD [4]

Methods

Results

Conclusion