Electroacupuncture altered expression of microRNAs in 5 knockout obese mice.

Background: Increasing evidence shows that miRNAs contribute to the establishment and development of obesity by affecting many biological and pathological processes, such as adipocyte differentiation, hepatic lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, and neurological regulation of obesity. As a clinical intervention approach, acupuncture has been shown to be effective in the treatment of obesity and other metabolic diseases. Our previous whole genome study in central nervous system (CNS)-specific 5 knockout (NKO) obese mice found that electroacupuncture (EA) could reduce body weight and promote white browning.

Objective: To clarify the effect of EA on miRNAs and understand how it regulates gene expression.

Methods: Twelve-week-old male 5NKO mice with body weight 20% greater than that of fl/fl (control) mice were divided into a 5NKO (model) group and EA-treated 5NKO + EA group. A cohort of 5fl/fl mice of the same age were included as the control group. EA was administered under isoflurane anesthesia at unilateral ST36 and ST44 daily (left and right sides were treated every other day), 6 times per week for a total of 4 weeks. The miRNA profile was generated and miRNA regulatory networks were analyzed in the 5 nestin-cre mice before and after EA treatment. Autophagy-related proteins in adipocytes were detected after over-expression of miR27a.

Results: EA altered abnormal miRNA expression, including miRNA27a expression, and reduced the autophagy-related proteins ATG5 and ATG12.

Conclusion: We found that EA could regulate miRNA27a-mediated autophagy-related proteins and promote white fat browning, which may contribute to weight loss. To our knowledge, this is the first report of miRNAs potentially driving the effect of EA on white fat browning through the autophagy process.