Comparison of the effect of low-frequency electroacupuncture on serum leptin and NPY contents of male and female patients with simple obesity

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the difference of low-frequency electroacupuncture in regulating serum leptin and neuropeptide Y (NPY) of male and female patients with simple obesity due to spleen deficiency and damp exuberance. MethodsEighty patients with simple obesity, including 37 males and 43 females, were included in this study. In both groups (male group and female group), Yīnlíngquán (▪ SP 9), Sānyīnjiāo (▪ SP 6), Zúsānl (▪ ST 36), Fēnglóng (▪ ST 40), Qūchí (▪ LI 11), Tiānshū (▪ ST 25), Zhōngwăn (▪ CV 12), Shuľfěn (▪ CV 9), Qìhăi (▪ CV 6), and Guānyuán (▪ cv 4). were selected, and low-frequency electroacupuncture treatment was applied. Needles were retained for 30 min. The treatment was conducted once a day, and 10 times were considered as one course of treatment. Two courses were needed. The changes of weight, BMI (body mass index), F% (fat percentage) and serum leptin and NPY contents of patients in the two groups before and after treatment were observed and analyzed comparatively. ResultsAfter treatment, in male group, the weight lost (9.24±2.55) kg, BMI reduced by 4.19±2.30, F% reduced by 3.98±2.13, serum leptin level reduced by (0.66±0.23) ng/mL, and serum NPY level reduced by (18.56±2.89) pg/mL; in female group, the weight lost (6.77±2.31) kg, BMI reduced by 2.65±0.93, F% reduced by 4.98±2.30, serum leptin level reduced by (3.49±1.09) ng/mL, and serum NPY level reduced by (11.21±1.97) pg/mL. The results reduced significantly when compared with the level before treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). The loss of weight, BMI and serum NPY content in male group was more obvious than that in female group (all P<0.01), and the loss of F% and serum leptin content in female group was more obvious than that in male group (both P<0.01). ConclusionLow-frequency electroacupuncture can significantly regulate the weight, BMI, F% and serum leptin and NPY contents of male and female patients with simple obesity, and there are gender differences. In terms of reducing weight, BMI and serum NPY content, the efficacy of low-frequency electroacupuncture in males is superior to that in females, while in terms of reducing F% and serum leptin content, the efficacy in females is superior to that in males.