Effect of acupuncture on contents of leptin and insulin in obese rats

Objective It is to explore the effect of acupuncture on the contents and blood-brain transport of leptin and insulin is obese organism. Methods The changes of body weight, body fat, the levels leptin and insulin of central and peripheral in obese rats were observed before and after acupuncture. Results The body weight, body fat, the levels of serum leptin and insulin in the obese rats were all markedly higher than those in the normal rats, but the levels of hypothalamic leptin and insulin in obese rats were all lower than those of normal rats. After acupuncture treatment the marked weight losing effect was achieved while the levels of serum leptin and insulin obviously decreased, the levels of hypothalamic leptin and insulin obviously increased in obese rats. Conclusion The abnormal transport of blood-brain barrier of leptin and insulin may be an important factor for the resistance of leptin and insulin in obese rats. The good regulation of acupuncture on levels of hypothalamic and serum leptin and insulin possibly is an important link in improving the resistance of leptin and insulin as well as regulation abnormal metabolism in obese organism. The effective regulation is possibly the key factors in the anti-obesity of acupuncture.