Bo′s abdominal acupuncture improves disordered metabolism in obese type 2 diabetic rats through regulating fibroblast growth factor 21 and its related adipokines

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of Bo′s abdominal acupuncture(BOAA)on fibroblast growth factor 21(FGF21)and its related adipokines in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)rats.METHODS:This study established obese T2DM rat model by high-fat diet(HFD)with a dose of streptozotocin(STZ,30 mg/kg).Obese T2DM rats were randomly subdivided into four groups(n=10):negative,BOAA,conventional acupuncture(COA group)and metformin group(Met group)groups.The biochemical parameters,mRNAs,and proteins were analyzed using enzyme-lined immunoassays kits,quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.RESULTS:Treatment with BOAA attenuated the histopathological changes in visceral fat and restored the alterations in the levels of body weight,fasting blood glucose(FBG),homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance(HOMA-IR).BOAA treatment significantly decreased the levels of triglyceride,total cholesterol,low density lipoprotein cholesterol,leptin,and increased the serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,fibroblast growth factor 21(FGF21),adiponectin(ADP),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ(PPAR-γ),C-peptide(C-P)in obese T2DM rats.Furthermore,BOAA treatment significantly increased the mRNA expressions of FGF21,ADP,leptin,PPAR-γ,PPAR-αand adenosine 5‘-monophosphate(AMP)-activated protein kinase(AMPK).Besides,BOAA treatment upregulated the protein expressions of fibroblast growth factor receptors3(FGFR3),PPAR-α,extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK),phosphorylated ERK(p-ERK),AMPK,p-AMPK,Liver kinase B1(LKB1),phosphorylated LKB1(p-LKB1),acetyl-CoA carboxylase(ACC)and phosphorylated ACC(p-ACC),while downregulated the protein expressions of FGF21 and PPAR-γin visceral fat.CONCLUSIONS:BOAA treatment reduced FBG and body weight,and improved insulin sensitivity through regulating FGF21 signaling pathway and its related adipokine in obese T2DM rats.

Discussion on the mechanisms of BO's abdominal acupuncture therapy

This article discussed the mechanisms and precautions of abdominal acupuncture from three different perspectives. First, the relationship between Shénquè （神阙 CV 8） and zang-fu and eight extra meridians stated in the ancient literature explained that the theory of CV 8 as the theoretical core of abdominal acupuncture therapy had literature support and theoretical evidence; second, with emphasis on the diagnosis and treatment based on differentiation of syndromes, four methods for selecting the points, including the ones according to hologram, meridians and collaterals, the Ba-kuo （八 廓） and three energizer, meanwhile, the origin of method selecting the points according to Three Energizer and clinical experience was also addressed; third, some problems about the manipulation of abdominal acupuncture therapy were put forward, such as selection of depth, direction, needle tool, as well as personal ideas and precautions, in order to ensure the clinical effect.

Reporting quality and effect size comparison in randomized controlled trials of bo's abdominal acupuncture using CONSORT statement and STRICTA

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reporting quality of randomized controlled trials(RCT) that compared Bo's abdominal acupuncture with conventional body acupuncture, and compare the efficacy and safetybetweenthembyperforminga Meta-analysis.METHODS: All RCTs comparing Bo's abdominalacupuncture with conventional body acupuncture were included. English and Chinese databases were searched from their respective inceptions to March 2014. The reporting quality was assessed according to the "Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials"(CONSORT) checklist for parallel RCTs and the revised "Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture"(STRICTA). A Meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize the effect sizes,and publication bias was evaluated by the Egger linear regression test using Stata.RESULTS: Ninety-seven studies were included, of which most lacked adequate reporting information, and 80.4% showed that the efficacy of abdominal acupuncture is superior to conventional body acupuncture, especially for the following diseases:lumbar disc herniation, cervical spondylosis, omarthritis and cervical vertigo, except simple obesity.Effect-sizes were controversial when evaluating different outcomes.CONCLUSION: The international standard CONSORT statement and STRICTA guidelines should be strictly applied when reporting acupuncture RCTs in the future. Abdominal acupuncture appears to be more effective compared with conventional body acupuncture for some diseases. However, further high quality blind RCTs using validated outcomeindexesandstandardreportingarewarranted.

Clinical Observation on the Effects of Bo’s Abdominal Acupuncture in 40 Cases of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Objective: To observe the curative effect of Bo’s abdominal acupuncture on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Methods: Forty cases with CFS were treated by Bo’s abdominal acupuncture at the points for conducting qi back to its origin and 4 points on the abdomen once a day for 2 weeks. Scores for symptoms and scores for fatigue questionnaires were compared before and after treatment. Results: After treatment, the clinical symptoms of patients were differently alleviated, and scores for symptoms, mental condition and neural feeling in questionnaires on fatigue were obviously reduced (P<0.01-0.05). Conclusion: Bo’s abdominal acupuncture has a good curative effect on general disease with complex symptoms, especially on lassitude, anorexia, insomnia, amnesia, diarrhea, and general pain.