2004•Acupuncture ResearchRequires access
Effect of Acupuncture on the Contents of Hypothalamic Neuropeptides in Obesity Rats
Zhi Liu
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Abstract
Objective:To explore the effect of acupuncture on the contents of hypothalamic neuropeptides in obesity rats. Methods: 15 SD rats were randomly and evenly divided into control, model and acupuncture groups. Obesity model was established before experiments. “Zusanli(ST 36) and “Neiting(ST 44) were punctured and stimulated electrically (10?Hz, 1.5?V, continuous waves) for 10?min , once daily, continuously for 14 times. Changes of body weight, Lee's index[3body weight (g)/ body length(cm)×10 3], body fat weight, as well as the contents of β endorphin (β EP), α melanocyte stimulating hormone (α MSH), bombesin (BOM), neuropeptide Y (NPY), angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ), atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) in the hypothalamic tissue of obesity rats were assayed with radioimmunoassay. Results: The body weight, Lee's index, body fat weight, and the levels of β EP, NPY and AngⅡ in hypothalamic tissue of obesity rats were significantly higher than those of normal rats ( P 0.05～ 0.01) , but the levels of α MSH, BOM, ANP and CGRP of obesity rats were significantly lower than those of normal rats ( P 0.05～0.01). There were positive interrelation between the contents of β EP, NPY, AngⅡ and body weight, obesity index and the body fat weight; but the interrelation between the contents of α MSH, BOM, ANP and CGRP and the obesity index was negative. After acupuncture treatment the marked weight lose effect was achieved while the contents of β EP, NPY, AngⅡ in hypothalamic tissue were markedly decreased ( P 0.05～0.01), and those of α MSH, BOM, ANP and CGRP in hypothalamic tissue obviously increased ( P 0.05～0.01). Conclusion: The abnormal increase of β EP, NPY and AngⅡ levels as well as the abnormal decrease of α MSH, BOM, ANP and CGRP levels in rat hypothalamic tissue may be responsible for obesity. Acupuncture induced changes of neuropeptide levels in the hypothalamic tissue of obesity rats possibly contribute to its antiobesity action in clinic.