Effect of Electro-Acupuncture versus Ultrasound Cavitation on Leptin Hormone in Females with Insulin Resistance

Abstract

Article informationBackground: 42% of women in their conceptive age [i.e. the age that ranges from 30-45 years old] complain of a body mass index [BMI] > 25 Kg/m 2 . Also, besides highly reported BMI/weight, women's conceptive age is usually associated with the development of metabolic disorders including insulin resistance [IR], hyperleptinemia, diabetes mellitus [DM], and/or cardiovascular diseases [CVD]. Recently, weight loss interventions including ultrasound cavitation [UC] and electro-acupuncture [EA] have been very appreciated by obese women during their trials to lose general/local body fat. Aim of the work: Comparing between IR-associated leptin hormone's response to EA versus UC was the objective of this in-women comparative study. Patients and Methods: Fifty IR women whose age and BMI ranged from 30-45 years old and 30-45 Kg/m 2 , respectively were included in this study. Random/equal assignment into two weight loss groups [EA group A or 40-KHz UC group B]. In this comparative study, for 8 weeks, EA was applied two sessions per week while UC was applied one time only]. A similar dietary restriction program was followed by both IR women groups. Besides the leptin hormone, measurements of anthropometry [weight, BMI, and waist circumference] were executed for both groups.Results: After ending the weight loss program, the EA group's weight, BMI, waist circumference [WC], and leptin significantly improved with a percentage of 2.56%, 2.8%, 4.17%, and 24.5%, respectively. Also, the UC group's weight, BMI, WC, and leptin significantly improved with a percentage of 2.4%, 2.59%, 2.4%, and 14%. Leptin hormone showed a significantly improved difference [P=0.019] toward the EA group after the end-result post-treatment comparison between the EA group and UC group. Conclusion:EA and UC are effective weight loss modalities but EA is more effective in controlling obesity-induced hyperleptinemia in IR women.