[Effect of acupuncture on oxidative stress and apoptosis-related proteins in obese mice induced by high-fat diet].

Objective: To explore the effect of acupuncture on oxidative stress and apoptosis-related proteins of liver in obese mice induced by high-fat diet.

Methods: A total of 45 male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into a control group (10 mice) and a model established group (35 mice). Mice in the model established group were fed with high-fat diet for 16 weeks to establish the obesity model. After model established, 30 mice were randomized into a model group, a non-acupoint group and an acupoint group, 10 mice in each one. Acupuncture was applied at "Guanyuan" (CV 4), " Zusanli" (ST 36), "Yishu" (EX-B 3) in the acupoint group and the points of 0.5 cm and 1 cm to the base of tail in the non-acupoint group, 15 min each time, once a day for 8 weeks. Mice in the control group were fed with normal diet, while mice in the other 3 groups were fed with high-fat diet continuously for 8 weeks. The body weight was measured at 0, 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, 20th, 24th week in each group respectively. After 24-week intervention, the weight of white adipose tissue of epididymis and perirenal and liver was measured; the levels of serum alanine transaminase(ALT) and glutamic oxaloacetic aminotransferase (AST) were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer; liver homogenate was used to detect the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD); the liver morphology was observed by HE staining; the expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bcl-2 were detected by Western blot.

Results: Compared with the control group, the body weight of mice in the model group, the acupoint group and the non-acupoint group was decreased on 16th week into experiment (before intervention, <0.05); compared with the model group and the non-acupoint group, the body weight of mice in the acupoint group were decreased after intervention (<0.05). Compared with the control group, the weight of white adipose tissue and liver, the levels of serum ALT and AST, the level of liver MDA, the expression of liver Bax were increased (<0.05); the activity of liver SOD and the expression of liver Bcl-2 were decreased in the model group after intervention (<0.05). Compared with the model group and the non-acupoint group, the weight of white adipose tissue and liver, the levels of serum ALT and AST, the level of liver MDA, the expression of liver Bax were decreased (<0.05); the activity of liver SOD and the expression of liver Bcl-2 were increased in the acupoint group after intervention (<0.05).

Conclusion: Acupuncture at "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Yishu"(EX-B 3) can improve obesity and obesity related hepatic disorder by regulating oxidative stress and inhibiting apoptosis in liver.