Abstract
There is evidence to show that electro-acupuncture (EA) has a promotive effect on both lipolysis and thermogenesis, and that these mechanisms underlie the anti-obesity effect of EA. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is known to play a role in thermogenesis. Additionally, obesity is characterized by a chronic low-grade inflammatory state. Based on these findings, the aim of the present study is to investigate the potential neuro-immune mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of EA in obesity. In the experiment, we used a high fat diet (HFD) rats model to study the effect of EA in reducing body weight. EA increases the activity of sympathetic nerves in inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT), especially in the HFD group. Compared to HFD rats, EA can decrease sympathetic associated macrophage (SAM) and the level of norepinephrine transporter protein (Slc6a2). The relative uncoupling protein 1 expression shows EA increases thermogenesis in iWAT, and increases β3 receptors. Interestingly, injecting β antagonist in iWAT increases Slc6a2 protein levels. Additionally, the SNS-macrophage cross-talk response to EA showed in iWAT but not in epididymis white adipose tissue. The results of the present study indicate that EA exerts its anti-obesity effect via three mechanisms: (1) inhibition of SAMs and the norepinephrine transporter protein SlC6a2, (2) promoting SNS activity and thermogenesis, and (3) regulating immunologic balance.
Highlights
After feeding for 11 weeks, body weight, adipose weight, body fat rate, and lipid levels were significantly higher in the high fat diet (HFD) group than in the control group (Figures 1A–F)
After 4 weeks of EA, adipose weight, body fat rate, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels, and total cholesterol (TCH) levels were significantly decreased in comparison with the HFD group without EA (Figures 1C,D,F,G)
The spontaneous sympathetic nervous system (SNS) firing rate was significantly lower in the HFD rats than in the control rats, but EA did not bring about a significant improvement in this firing rate (Figures 2A–C)
Summary
Multiple pharmacotherapies are approved by the FDA for the treatment of obesity. Their efficiency and safety are limited and, several weight loss drugs are off the market (Christensen et al, 2007; James et al, 2010). The high surgical risk is a limitation of bariatric surgery (Flum and Dellinger, 2004; Smith et al, 2011). There is reported evidence that acupuncture is effective and safe for the treatment of simple obesity (Zhang et al, 2017). There is experimental evidence that acupuncture reduces body weight, and increases adiponectin and decreases leptin in obese rats
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