Experimental hyperthyroidism treated with acupuncture ‐ metabolomic evaluation of Wistar rats' livers

Abstract

Hyperthyroidism can be defined as the consequence of production and excessive action of the thyroid hormones. Acupuncture as been proven effective in the treatment of some pathologies, with minimum side effects.Twenty‐one male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: group I – control with no manipulation (Ctrl); group II – received levothyroxine (HT); group III ‐ received levothyroxine and acupuncture (HT+AC). Liver samples were snap frozen in liquid nitrogen and later analyzed by high rotation magic angle NMR spectroscopy (HRMAS) in a in a 14.1 Tesla Varian spectrometer. HRMAS spectral analysis followed by principal component statistical analysis demonstrated that lipids were significantly reduced in the HT group and increased in the HT+AC, the same happening with the aminoacids aspartate and glutamate. Glucose, as well as glycogen were significantly increased in both HT and HT+AC groups.The results suggest that HT reduces hepatic lipid contents, either by increased mobilization or reduced de novo lipogenesis, and that such reduction is reversed by AC treatment. The increase in glucose content is compatible with either an increase in glycogen breakdown or an increase in gluconeogenesis. Our results show an increase in glycogen content in both HT and HT+AC groups thus supporting the later. Accurate evaluation of lipogenesis and glucose turnover is currently underway using the 2H2O method.