Effect of acupuncture on cholecystokinin of obese rats

Objective To explore the effect of acupuncture on the contents of central and peripheral cholecystokinin (CCK),leptin and insulin (INS) in obese organism.Methods The changes of body weight,Lee′s index,body fat,as well as the contents of central and peripheral CCK,leptin and INS in obese rats were observed before and after acupuncture.Results The body weight,Lee′s index,body fat,and the levels of serum leptin and INS in obese rats were all markedly higher than those in the normal rats, but the CCK levels of cerebral cortex,nuclei tractus solitarii and serum,as well as the levels of hypothalamic leptin and INS in obese rats were all lower than those in normal rats.There was negative correlation between the obesity index and levels of central and peripheral CCK.After acupuncture treatment the marked weight loss was achieved while the levels of serum leptin and INS obviously decreased,the CCK levels of cerebral cortex, nuclei tractus solitarii and serum as well as the levels of hypothalamic leptin and INS obviously increased in obese rats.Conclusion The abnormal decrease in CCK levels of cerebral cortex,nuclei tractus solitarii and serum as well as the abnormal transport of blood brain barrier of leptin and INS may be an important cause for the obesity.The good regulation of acupuncture on the levels of central and peripheral CCK,leptin and INS is possibly the very important mechanism of acupuncture slimming.