Effect of electroacupuncture on the expression of PGC-1α and UCP-1 in the brown adipose tissue of obese rats

• Published in: World journal of acupuncture-moxibustion 2018-06, Vol.28 (2), p.97-102
• Main Authors: Lihua, WANG, Jia, LI, Wei, HUANG, Guoping, RAN, Yanji, ZHANG, Yue, ZHUO, Yiting, JIN, Zhongyu, ZHOU
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Brown adipose tissue (BAT); Electroacupuncture; Obesity; Peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α); Uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1)
• ISSN: 1003-5257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wjam.2018.05.007

To explore the effect of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) and uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) in the brown adipose tissue (BAT) of obese rats in the process of acupuncture treatment for obesity. Fifty clean-grade male Wistar rats with the age of 3 months were randomly divided into high-fat diet group (n = 40) and normal diet group (control group, n = 10). Nutritional obesity animal models were established through feeding with high-fat diet. Twenty-four animal models in the high-fat diet group were established successfully, and then they were randomly divided into model group, acupuncture group and non-acupoint group, with 8 rats in each group. In acupuncture group, Zúsānlĭ (足三里ST 36) and Tiānshū (天枢ST 25) were selected. In non-acupoint group, the non-acupoints located on 5 mm beside ST 36 and ST 25 were selected as acupuncture points, and electroacupuncture intervention was adopted for 5 times/week for 8 weeks. The body mass of obese rats was measured, the body fat ratio in BAT of rats was calculated, and the expression levels of PGC-1α and UCP-1 in BAT of rats were detected by immunohistochemical method. ① After treatment, the body mass of rats in acupuncture group reduced significantly, which increased in the other three groups. The changing value of body mass of rats in acupuncture group was higher than that in model group (P