INFLUENCE OF ACUPUNCTURE ON INSULIN RESISTANCE IN PATIENTS WITH SIMPLE OBESITY

Objective To investigate clinical therapeutic effect and regulative function of acupuncture on insulin resistance in patients with simple obesity. Methods Acupuncture was applied at the eight points surrounding the umbilicus: bilateral Tianshu (天枢ST 25), Huaroumen (滑肉门ST 24) and Wailing (外陵ST 26), Yinjiao (阴交CV 7) and Shuifen (水分CV 9), and also Guanyuan (关元CV 4) and Zusanli (足三里ST 36), and the ear embedding method was used in combination in 50 cases of simple obesity. The changes in FBG, INS, ISI, TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C after the treatment were observed. The changes in waistline (WL) and hip circumference (HC), their ratio (WL/HC), body weight (BW) and body mass index (BMI) after the treatment were also observed, and the therapeutic effects were compared between the patients with obesity in Grade Ⅰ and Grade Ⅱ. The aforementioned values were compared with those in the control group comprised of 30 normal subjects. Results Hyperinsulinemia (HI) appeared in the patients with simple obesity, and the value of ISI was obviously decreased, compared with that in normal subjects ( P<0.01 ). After the treatment, the values of WL, HC, WL/HC, BW and BMI were all obviously decreases ( P<0.05 ), and those of FBG, INS, TC, TG and LDL-C also reduced ( P<0.01 ), but those of ISI and HDL-C obviously increased ( P<0.05 ). Conclusion Acupuncture can not only efficiently improve the parameters in body fat in the patients with simple obesity, but also regulate their abnormal lipid metabolism and improve the situation of insulin resistance.

INFLUENCE OF ACUPUNCTURE ON INSULIN RESISTANCE IN OBESITY PATIENTS

Aims: To investigate the influence of acupuncture on insulin resistance in obesity patients. Methods:In treatment group, 20 obesity patients were treated with acupuncture of Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Daimai (GB 26), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zhongwan (CV 12), etc.. In control group, 12 normal volunteer subjects were observed. The obesity index, fasting blood sugar (FPG), plasma insulin (FINS) and C peptide contents, and insulin sensitive index (ISI) were measured before and after acupuncture treatment. Results: Before treatment in comparison with control group, FPG, FINS and C peptide of obesity patients were significant higher (P<0.01), while ISI was considerably lower (P<0.01); after acupuncture treatment, the levels of plasma insulin and C peptide decreased obviously, ISI increased markedly (P<0.01), and the obesity index was considerably improved with a total effective rate of 85%. Conclusion: Acupuncture can alleviate obesity and improve insulin resistance.

Effect of Acupressure Therapy on Anti-inflammatory Mechanism in Obesity-induced IR Rats

[Objectives] To study the effect of "acupressure therapy" on anti-inflammatory mechanism in obesity-induced IR rats. [Methods] 10 rats were randomly selected and fed with normal diet as blank group, and the remaining 30 rats were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks. The obesity-induced IR model was induced and divided into two groups: model group and acupressure group. The acupressure group was treated by "acupressure therapy" three times a week for 6 weeks;the model group was taken 3 times at the same time every week, and the supine binding experiment lasted for 10 min for 6 weeks. Morphological observation was carried out before and after the experiment, mainly observing the general conditions and body weight. After the last intervention, the animals were killed and samples were collected. Western Blot method was used to detect the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 protein in adipose tissue of the three groups. [Results] Compared with the blank group, the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 protein in adipose tissue of the model group increased significantly ( P <0.01);compared with the model group, the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 protein in adipose tissue of the acupressure group decreased significantly ( P <0.01). [Conclusions] After intervening in the obesity-induced IR rats with acupressure method, the status of insulin resistance in obese rats was improved by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors.

Characterization of Wnt1-inducible Signaling Pathway Protein-1 in Obese Children and Adolescents

Wnt1-inducible signaling pathway protein-1(WISP1),a member of the CCN family,is increasingly being recognized as a potential target for obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.Recent studies have shown that WISP1 can regulate low-grade inflammation in obese mice,and circulating WISP1 levels are associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults.Herein,we measured serum WISP1 levels in obese youth and explored its relationships with pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 18(IL-18)and other metabolic indexes.Totally,44 normal-weight and 44 obese children and adolescents were enrolled.Physical and laboratory data were recorded,and then serum levels of WISP1 and IL-18 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Results showed that serum levels of WISP1 were significantly higher in obese children and adolescents than in normal-weight healthy controls (1735.444-15.29 vs. 1364.084-18.69 pg/mL).WISP1 levels were significantly positively correlated with body mass index (BMI)and BMI z-score (r=0.392,P=0.008;r=0.474,P=0.001,respectively) in obese group;circulating IL-18 was increased in obese individuals (1229.064-29.42 vs. 295.874-13.30 pg/mL).Circulating WISP1 levels were significantly correlated with IL-18 (r=0.542,P<0.001),adiponectin (r=0.585,P<0.001)and leptin (r=0.592,P<0.001).The multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that higher IL-18 levels represented the main determinant of increased WISP1 levels after adjusting for BMI,waist circumference, fasting insulin,homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)and HbAlc in obese individuals (β=0.542,P=0.000).WISP1 can be involved in glucose/lipid metabolism in obese youth,which may be modulated by IL-18.Increased WISP1 levels may be a risk factor of obesity and insulin resistance,and WISP1 has a potential therapeutic effect on insulin resistance in obese children and adolescents.

Targeting mitochondrial biogenesis for preventing and treating insulin resistance in diabetes and obesity:Hope from natural mitochondrial nutrients

Insulin resistance is an important feature of type 2 diabetes and obesity. The underlying mechanisms of insulin resistance are still unclear. Mitochondrial dysfunction,