Acupuncture on ST36, CV4 and KI1 Suppresses the Progression of Methionine- and Choline-Deficient Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Mice

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide, and its treatment remain a constant challenge. A number of clinical trials have shown that acupuncture treatment has beneficial effects for patients with NAFLD, but the molecular mechanisms underlying its action are still largely unknown. In this study, we established a mouse model of NAFLD by administering a methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) diet and selected three acupoints (ST36, CV4, and KI1) or nonacupoints (sham) for needling. We then investigated the effects of acupuncture treatment on the progression of NAFLD and the underlying mechanisms. After two weeks of acupuncture treatment, the liver in the needling-nonapcupoint group (NG) mice appeared pale and yellowish in color, while that in the needling-acupoint group (AG) showed a bright red color. Histologically, fewer lipid droplets and inflammatory foci were observed in the AG liver than in the NG liver. Furthermore, the expression of proinflammatory signaling factors was significantly downregulated in the AG liver. A lipid analysis showed that the levels of triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acid (FFA) were lower in the AG liver than in the NG liver, with an altered expression of lipid metabolism-related factors as well. Moreover, the numbers of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)-positive hepatocytes and levels of hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were significantly lower in AG mice than in NG mice. In line with these results, a higher expressions of antioxidant factors was found in the AG liver than in the NG liver. Our results indicate that acupuncture repressed the progression of NAFLD by inhibiting inflammatory reactions, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting lipid metabolism of hepatocytes, suggesting that this approach might be an important complementary treatment for NAFLD.

Acupuncture improved lipid metabolism by regulating intestinal absorption in mice

“…Indeed, in this study, the AG mice were observed to have lower body weight and less abdominal adiposity with an improved blood lipid status, in comparison to NG mice. In a recent study, we also reported that acupuncture significantly inhibited the progression of NAFLD, where reduced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in the liver and enhanced hepatic metabolism were observed in mice with modest NAFLD after acupuncture treatment[ 15 ]. From the present results, in addition to the direct effects on the liver, the lower body weight and serum lipid levels produced by acupuncture treatment also played an important role in the improvement of the liver function, indicating that the beneficial effects of acupuncture on NAFLD not only rely on the control of the intrahepatic pathological process but also depend on the regulation of the systemic metabolism of the body.…”

“…The expression of ApoA1 in the NG and AG groups did not differ to a statistically significant extent (Figure 2C ). Thus, less abdominal adipose tissue and lower plasma TG and NEFA levels were found in AG mice; however, the cholesterol levels in plasma (Figure 3 ) and liver tissue[ 15 ] did not differ to a significantly extent between the two groups.…”

“…Needling treatment started as well as HF diet started. As described previously[ 15 ], three acupoints, ST36, KI1 and CV4, or corresponding non-acupoints were needled with 13-mm needles (Suzhou Medical Appliance Factory 0.25 mm × 13 mm), which were rotated slowly at 60 rotations per minute for 2 min, without retaining the needle. All mice were needled without anesthesia in a mouse retainer.…”

“…For the small intestine, frozen tissues were weighed and homogenized. Lipids were extracted as described previously[ 15 ] with chloroform-methanol (2/1 v/v) and dried and solubilized in 2-propanol.…”

“…CV4 is front Mu point of small intestine which is a key acupoint in regulating the motion of qi belonging to conception vessel. Our results demonstrated that acupuncture treatment suppressed the progression of NAFLD by controlling the intrahepatic pathological process[ 15 ]. According to TCM theory, the three acupoints are located at very important sites of the body.…”