The efficacy of electroacupuncture therapy for weight loss changes plasma lipoprotein A, apolipoprotein A and apolipoprotein B levels in obese women.

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture treatment on lipoprotein A, apolipoprotein A and apolipoprotein B levels in obese subjects. Fifty-eight women were studied in 3 groups as follows: 1) Placebo acupuncture (n = 15; mean age = 41.47 +/- 4.61, and mean body mass index {BMI} = 33.43 +/- 3.10); 2) Electroacupuncture (EA) (n = 20; mean age = 40.55 +/- 5.30, and BMI = 35.65 +/- 3.84) and 3) Diet restriction groups (n = 23; mean age = 42.91 +/- 4.02, and BMI = 34.78 +/- 3.29). EA was performed using the ear points, Hungry, Shen Men and Stomach the body points, Hegu (LI 4), Quchi (LI 11), Tianshu (St 25), Zusanli (St 36), Neiting (St 44) and Taichong (Liv 3) for 20 days. Intragroup comparisons were made by using paired samples t-test whereas intergroup differences were investigated by the two-way variation analysis and LSD test. There was a 4.7% (p < 0.001) weight reduction in patients with electroacupuncture application, whereas patients in diet restriction had a 2.9% (p < 0.001) weight reduction. There were significant decreases in lipoprotein A (p < 0.05) and apolipoprotein B (p < 0.05) levels in the EA compared to the control group and no changes in apolipoprotein A levels was observed in EA, diet and placebo acupuncture groups. EA therapy may be a useful approach for the treatment of obesity for both losing weight and lowing the risk factors for cardiovascular disease associated with obesity, since this application may decrease the plasma lipoprotein A and apolipoprotein B levels.

Acupuncture and immunomodulation.

Acupuncture is a well-known form of Asian medical treatment and it is used not only as an effective curative method but also to prevent illness and maintain health. It is used for the production of analgesic effect; stress related physical-mental disorders and homeostasis. Electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation, an application of electrical current on acupuncture needles, is one of the most popular types of this traditional therapy. In recent years, intensive studies have been carried out to explain the underlying mechanisms of the efficacy of acupuncture. An increase in the release of endogen opioid peptides is generally accepted to be a keystone pathway that affects the immune system after the acupuncture application. To understand the huge gap between specific skin point applications and immune responses, a vast number of accumulating data of experimental and clinical studies in the literature have been collected. This paper reviews the data to explain the updated mechanisms related to immune modulation via acupuncture therapy.

Serum IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE levels after electroacupuncture and diet therapy in obese women.

We investigated the effect of acupuncture therapy on obese women's body weight and peripheral blood levels of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and immunoglobulin E (IgE). Sixty-three healthy women were assigned into 3 groups: placebo electroacupuncture (n = 13; mean age, 40.5 +/- 4.2 years; body mass index [BMI], 33.5 +/- 4.2), diet restriction (n = 23; mean age, 42.9 +/- 4.0 years; BMI, 34.6 +/- 2.9), and electroacupuncture (n = 24; mean age, 40.1 +/- 5.9 years; BMI, 33.9 +/- 2.7). Electroacupuncture was applied to the Hunger and Shen Men ear points and to the LI 4, LI 11, St 36, St 44, and Ren 6 body points for 30 min once daily for 20 days. A restricted diet of 1400 kilocalories was given to participants in all 3 groups for 20 days. Weight was lost significantly in subjects in the electroacupuncture group compared to those in the diet restriction and placebo electroacupuncture groups (p < 0.000, Tukey test). Modulations in serum IgG (p < 0.001) were apparent in women treated with electroacupuncture compared with women treated with placebo electroacupuncture and restricted diet only. No significant changes were seen in serum IgA, IgM, and IgE levels among the 3 groups. Our results suggest that electroacupuncture can be effectively used to treat obesity. We also observed a modulating effect of serum IgG, which is associated with weight loss, in patients in the electroacupuncture group.