Electro-acupuncture shows promising results for obesity management
Researchers from Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU Singapore) and Hong Kong University (HKU) have found that electro-acupuncture, a modern take on traditional Chinese medicine, could play a significant role in managing obesity. Their findings suggest that this ancient technique may impact a protein called osteoprotegerin, a known influencer of fat cell growth.
Electro-acupuncture involves inserting needles at specific acupoints and applying a gentle electrical pulse to stimulate the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Traditionally used for various ailments, this approach has now shown promise for addressing obesity, a condition that affects one in eight people worldwide. The study, published in the Journal of Advanced Research, combined cell experiments, animal trials, and human clinical research to reveal its potential benefits.
The researchers focused on osteoprotegerin, a protein typically associated with bone health, but now linked to fat cell formation and obesity progression. In lab experiments, metabolic stress from high glucose and insulin levels prompted adipocyte progenitor cells, precursors to fat cells, to produce osteoprotegerin, accelerating fat formation. Subsequent mouse studies confirmed that overproduction of osteoprotegerin led to weight gain and insulin resistance. Remarkably, when the gene responsible for this protein was silenced, weight gain slowed, indicating a significant relationship between osteoprotegerin and obesity.
To explore electro-acupuncture’s impact, the scientists treated mice on a high-fat diet three times a week for two months. Results showed that treated mice gained less fat, had smaller fat cells, and demonstrated improved glucose tolerance compared to untreated mice. Importantly, when osteoprotegerin was artificially introduced back into the mice, these positive effects diminished, suggesting that electro-acupuncture’s benefits might stem from reducing osteoprotegerin levels.
Encouraged by these outcomes, the team conducted a clinical trial with 80 participants aged 18 to 65, each exhibiting high levels of visceral fat. The test group received biweekly electro-acupuncture treatments, while a control group underwent a sham procedure. While overall weight loss did not differ significantly between groups, the electro-acupuncture recipients displayed a lower waist-to-hip ratio, improved fasting glucose levels, and enhanced insulin sensitivity. Initial analyses of blood samples further showed a reduction in osteoprotegerin, solidifying its connection to obesity management.
NTU’s Associate Professor Linda Zhong highlighted the significance of these findings: “Our study underscores the potential of osteoprotegerin as a target for obesity treatment. We demonstrated through both human and animal studies that electro-acupuncture can modulate this protein and positively influence metabolic health.”
Experts like Dr. Quah Teik Joo, Head of Complementary Integrative Medicine at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, acknowledge the research as a foundation for future exploration. He emphasised the importance of considering other risk factors and combining treatments for a more comprehensive approach to obesity care.
The research team aims to continue investigating how varying the frequency of electro-acupuncture sessions could impact osteoprotegerin and the long-term benefits of this treatment. Additionally, expanding their studies to include larger and more diverse populations will be crucial for validating these promising results and shaping new strategies for obesity and metabolic disorder management.