Acupuncture in Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Cessation of group battlefield acupuncture visits due to COVID-19: a pilot study.","authors":"Cynthia F McNamara,&nbsp;Jeffrey D Kravetz,&nbsp;Daniel G Federman","doi":"10.1177/09645284221104833","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284221104833","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, battlefield acupuncture (BFA) was offered to veterans with chronic pain in multidisciplinary group visits.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>We aimed to assess the impact of cessation of BFA due to COVID-19 and to determine the utility of different aspects of the group visits for chronic pain management.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants who had attended at least three BFA group visits completed questionnaires assessing the impact of treatment interruption on pain, overall function and desire to resume treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirty-nine veterans were surveyed; 49% responded to the questionnaire. Ninety percent (17/19) agreed that BFA was an important part of pain management and that their pain had worsened after treatment interruption. Seventy-four percent (14/19) responded that they were taking more pain medications since BFA had ended. Ninety-five percent (18/19) responded that BFA improved daily function; 79% (15/19) agreed that BFA improved their sleep. Ninety-five percent (18/19) were interested in resuming BFA. Camaraderie was mentioned as the most helpful aspect of the group by 8/19 (42%) of participants. Participation of health psychology and nutrition were each mentioned as a most helpful aspect of the group by 5/19 (26%) of participants.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our results suggest that participants may have believed that BFA, camaraderie, and input from nutrition and health psychology services were important contributors to their pain control. The results also suggest that veterans may have suffered worsening pain, used more pain medications, and had worsening quality of sleep and daily function during the COVID-related clinic disruption, and that they were interested in resumption of the program.</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40407947","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Electroacupuncture for blindness in age-related macular degeneration: a case report.","authors":"Zixiang Geng,&nbsp;Lele Ling,&nbsp;Bingrong Li,&nbsp;Long Yuan,&nbsp;Bimeng Zhang","doi":"10.1177/09645284221105528","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284221105528","url":null,"abstract":"Corresponding authors: Zixiang Geng, Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai 200080, China. Email: gengzx@foxmail.com Bimeng Zhang, Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai 200080, China. Email: pjzhtiger08@aliyun.com","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40408840","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acupuncture for insomnia after ischemic stroke: an assessor-participant blinded, randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Yan Cao,&nbsp;Yin-Jie Yan,&nbsp;Jian-Yang Xu,&nbsp;Abulikemu Liwayiding,&nbsp;Yi-Ping Liu,&nbsp;Xuan Yin,&nbsp;Li-Xing Lao,&nbsp;Zhang-Jin Zhang,&nbsp;Shi-Fen Xu","doi":"10.1177/09645284221077106","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284221077106","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>To date, there has been little focus on research into acupuncture for insomnia after ischemic stroke. Insomnia is one of the most common sequelae after ischemic stroke, and it is the most unrecognized modifiable risk factor.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for insomnia after ischemic stroke.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this assessor-participant blinded, randomized, controlled trial, 144 ischemic stroke patients with insomnia meeting <i>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders</i> (fifth edition, <i>DSM</i>-5) criteria were assigned to verum or sham acupuncture treatment (n = 72 per group) for three sessions per week over 4 weeks. The outcomes were the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), stroke-specific quality of life (SSQoL), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores. Multiple objective sleep variables were recorded using actigraphy. Assessment was conducted at baseline, and thereafter once biweekly for the 4-week treatment and at 4 weeks of follow-up.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The verum acupuncture group had significantly greater improvements than the sham acupuncture group in sleep quality from 2 weeks into treatment throughout the follow-up, indicated by ISI scores and actigraphic variable SE (sleep efficiency). This greater improvement was also observed in the PSQI after 4 weeks of treatment throughout follow-up, as well as actigraphic variable TST (total sleep time), SSQoL and HADS scores at the end of treatment, and SSQoL and depression scores at follow-up. There was no significant difference between groups in the actigraphic variable SA (sleep awakenings). Adverse events were mild in severity, and their incidence was not significantly different between the two groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Acupuncture appears to be efficacious, in terms of improving insomnia, related quality of life, and affective symptoms, for patients with ischemic stroke.</p><p><strong>Trial registration number: </strong>ChiCTR-IIC-16008382 (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry).</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40313653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of acupuncture on menopausal hot flushes and serum hormone levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Chang Liu,&nbsp;Zhijie Wang,&nbsp;Ting Guo,&nbsp;Lixing Zhuang,&nbsp;Xiao Gao","doi":"10.1177/09645284211056655","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284211056655","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the efficacy/effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of hot flushes and its impact on serum hormone levels in menopausal women.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 10 databases were searched from their inception to August 2018. Reference lists of reviews and included articles were also hand-searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effect of acupuncture versus sham acupuncture, or acupuncture versus hormone therapy (HT), as treatment for menopausal hot flushes were included. Outcomes included hot flush frequency, hot flush severity and serum hormone levels of estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Meta-analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.3 software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirteen RCTs including 1784 patients were selected, seven of which were available for meta-analysis. Compared with sham acupuncture, acupuncture significantly decreased hot flush frequency (mean difference (MD) -0.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) [-1.64, -0.05], I² = 54%) from baseline to the end of study, but did not impact end scores of hot flush frequency (MD 0.19, 95% CI [-0.61, 0.99], I² = 0%) or severity (MD 0.02, 95% CI [-0.13, 0.17], I² = 0%). No differences were found between acupuncture and HT in serum levels of E₂ (MD 6.56, 95% CI [-3.77, 16.89], I² = 76%), FSH (MD 1.06, 95% CI [-1.44, 3.56], I² = 0%) or LH (MD -3.36, 95% CI [-13.37, 6.65], I² = 89%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Acupuncture may not decrease hot flush frequency, but yet appears to have similar effects on serum hormone levels as HT, that is, increased E2 and decreased FSH and LH. Considering that no firm conclusions could be drawn due to the low quality and limited number of included trials included, further high-quality RCTs need to be conducted.</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39715556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ear acupuncture as an adjunct in a treatment protocol for anorexia nervosa: utilization rate and nurses' experience.","authors":"Kajsa Landgren","doi":"10.1177/09645284211056948","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284211056948","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a life-threatening illness. Sometimes long inpatient treatment is necessary, increasing the anxiety that comes with hospitalization and the necessary weight gain. Safe, non-pharmacological adjunctive therapies that improve subjective health are called for.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this non-randomized, mixed-methods observational study was to describe the utilization rate and nurses' experiences of ear acupuncture in a highly specialized clinic for eating disorders in Sweden, in which acupuncture had been implemented as part of routine clinical care. Twenty-five patients with AN-treated voluntarily or by law were included. The semi-standardized National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) ear acupuncture protocol, sometimes combined with needling at 2 traditional acupuncture point locations on the body, had been implemented as a voluntary adjunct to usual care, twice weekly. To evaluate the acceptance of acupuncture, the study examined how often patients chose acupuncture when offered on schedule, and how often they asked for extra acupuncture sessions. Patients rated their subjective health using the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and visual analogue scale (VAS), treatment satisfaction with usual care and acupuncture, and health-related quality of life with the RAND36 instrument. A credibility/expectancy questionnaire (CEQ) was used to measure confidence in treatment. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated to follow the patients' recovery. Nurses' experiences of giving acupuncture as a part of routine care were captured in interviews, and analysed with content analysis. Ethical approval was obtained.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Despite an initially moderate level of trust in acupuncture, the utilization rate of the scheduled acupuncture was 89% and patients asked for extra acupuncture sessions on 28 occasions. No serious side effects were reported. Nurses' experiences of providing acupuncture were positive. They were generally enthusiastic, although they reported finding it difficult to organize group treatments and to find time for acupuncture sessions if they were not scheduled.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Further research into the effectiveness and costs of acupuncture in psychiatric care is needed. This study provides relevant information for clinicians as well as researchers planning future randomized controlled trials.</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39805153","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The importance of the local twitch response during needling interventions in spinal pain associated with myofascial trigger points: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"César Fernández-de-Las-Peñas,&nbsp;Gustavo Plaza-Manzano,&nbsp;Jorge Sanchez-Infante,&nbsp;Guido F Gómez-Chiguano,&nbsp;Joshua A Cleland,&nbsp;José L Arias-Buría,&nbsp;Marcos J Navarro-Santana","doi":"10.1177/09645284211056346","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284211056346","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare the clinical effects of needling interventions eliciting local twitch responses (LTRs) versus needling without eliciting LTRs when applied to muscle trigger points (TrPs) associated with spinal pain of musculoskeletal origin.</p><p><strong>Databases and data treatment: </strong>Electronic databases were searched for randomized or non-randomized clinical trials where one group received needling intervention where LTRs were elicited and was compared with another group receiving the same intervention without elicitation of LTRs in spinal pain disorders associated with TrPs. Outcomes included pain intensity, pain-related disability, and pressure pain thresholds. The risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool or ROBINS-I tool, methodological quality was assessed with the PEDro score, and quality of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Six trials were included. The application of a needling intervention eliciting LTRs was associated with a significant reduction in pain intensity immediately after treatment (mean difference (MD): -2.03 points, 95% confidence interval (CI): -3.77 to -0.29; standardized MD (SMD): -1.35, 95% CI: -2.32 to -0.38, <i>p</i> = 0.02) when compared to the same needling intervention without elicitation of LTRs. No effect at short-term follow-up (MD: -0.20 points, 95% CI: -1.46 to 1.06, <i>p</i> = 0.75) was observed. No significant differences based on elicitation or non-elicitation of LTRs were found in related disability (SMD: -0.05, 95% CI: -0.41 to 0.30, <i>p</i> = 0.77) or pressure pain thresholds (MD: 23.39 kPa, 95% CI: -13.68 to 60.47, <i>p</i> = 0.22).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Low-level evidence suggests an immediate effect of obtaining LTRs during needling interventions on pain intensity, with no significant effects on related disability or pressure pain sensitivity in spinal pain disorders associated with muscle TrPs.</p><p><strong>Registration number: </strong>OSF Registry-https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/5ZX9N.</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39716303","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Electroacupuncture suppresses spinal nerve ligation-induced neuropathic pain via regulation of synaptic plasticity through upregulation of basic fibroblast growth factor expression.","authors":"Kecheng Zhou,&nbsp;Qiaoyun Wu,&nbsp;Jingjing Yue,&nbsp;Xiaolan Yu,&nbsp;Xinwang Ying,&nbsp;Xiaolong Chen,&nbsp;Ye Zhou,&nbsp;Guanhu Yang,&nbsp;Wenzhan Tu,&nbsp;Songhe Jiang","doi":"10.1177/09645284211066499","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284211066499","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Improving synaptic plasticity is a good way to alleviate neuropathic pain. Electroacupuncture (EA) is currently used worldwide to treat this disease, but its specific mechanisms of action need further investigation. Evidence has suggested that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) plays an important role in promoting nerve regeneration and can promote the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>In this study, we examined the effects of EA on synaptic plasticity and its underlying mechanism.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A spinal nerve ligation (SNL) rat model was established. NSC37204 (a specific inhibitor of bFGF) was used to determine the relationship between bFGF and putative EA-mediated improvements in synaptic plasticity. Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were assessed to evaluate hyperalgesia in rats with SNL. Tissue morphology was detected by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Nissl staining, while neural plasticity and its molecular mechanisms were examined by Western blotting, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), dual-label immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found that EA improved synaptic plasticity, consistent with higher levels of expression of bFGF and VEGF. Contrary to the beneficial effects of EA, NSC37204 promoted synaptic reconstruction. Furthermore, EA-induced improvements in the neurobehavioral state and improved synaptic plasticity were blocked by NSC37204, consistent with lower expression levels of bFGF and VEGF.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings indicate that EA suppresses SNL-induced neuropathic pain by improving synaptic plasticity via upregulation of bFGF expression.</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39738071","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Teaching self-acupuncture survey report.","authors":"Catrina Davy,&nbsp;John Hughes","doi":"10.1177/09645284211056658","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284211056658","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>People have been teaching self-acupuncture (SA) in the United Kingdom since 1977. More recently, a small body of research has been conducted on SA. However, detailed guidelines on teaching and delivery of SA have so far, to our knowledge, not been developed.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Acupuncturists were invited to participate in an online survey about their experiences of teaching SA. Data from the survey were extracted, analysed using descriptive statistics and translated into SA teaching guidelines.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>One hundred thirty-eight acupuncturists completed the survey. Nineteen percent of participants had taught SA. The most common symptoms for which acupuncturists taught SA were pain, nausea, anxiety, hot flushes, headaches/migraines and breathlessness. The six most commonly taught traditional acupuncture point locations were LI4, ST36, SP6, PC6, LR3 and TE5. No participants had received reports of adverse effects from their patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Acupuncturists who teach SA find it to be an acceptable and safe option for patients. The presented data have important implications for guiding the practice of SA.</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39714111","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of dry needling on function, hypertonia and quality of life in chronic stroke: a randomized clinical trial.","authors":"Sandra Calvo,&nbsp;Natalia Brandín-de la Cruz,&nbsp;Carolina Jiménez-Sánchez,&nbsp;Elisabeth Bravo-Esteban,&nbsp;Pablo Herrero","doi":"10.1177/09645284211056347","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284211056347","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Persons with stroke commonly have impairments associated with a reduction in functionality. Motor impairments are the most prevalent, causing an impact on activities of daily life.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a session of dry needling (DN) applied to the upper extremity muscles on the sensorimotor function, hypertonia, and quality of life of persons with chronic stroke.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial was performed. Participants were randomly assigned into an intervention group that received a single session DN in the biceps brachii, brachialis, flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus, extensor digitorum, adductor pollicis and triceps brachii muscles, or into a control group that received the same treatment but with a sham DN intervention. Treatment outcomes included the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale for the upper extremity, the Modified Modified Ashworth Scale, and the EuroQol-5D questionnaire. Measurements were carried out before, immediately after, and 14 days after intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-three persons participated in the study. Significant differences between groups were observed after the intervention in the total wrist-hand motor score (p = 0.023) and sensorimotor score (p = 0.022), for hypertonia in the elbow extensors both after treatment (p = 0.002) and at follow-up (p = 0.018), and in quality of life at follow-up (p = 0.030).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A single session of DN improved total wrist-hand motor function and total sensorimotor function in persons with chronic stroke immediately after treatment, as well as quality of life 2 weeks after treatment.</p><p><strong>Trial registration number: </strong>NCT03546517 (ClinicalTrials.gov).</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39715557","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Electroacupuncture improves metabolic and ovarian function in a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome by decreasing white adipose tissue, increasing brown adipose tissue, and modulating the gut microbiota.","authors":"Feifei Zhang,&nbsp;Tong Ma,&nbsp;Xiaoyu Tong,&nbsp;Yanjun Liu,&nbsp;Peng Cui,&nbsp;Xiaoqing Xu,&nbsp;Jiemei Shi,&nbsp;Wei Hu,&nbsp;Wenhan Lu,&nbsp;Zhenle Pei,&nbsp;Minzhen Xu,&nbsp;Xin Li,&nbsp;Congjian Xu,&nbsp;Yi Feng","doi":"10.1177/09645284211056663","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284211056663","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 8%-15% of reproductive-age women and is associated with reproductive disorders, abdominal obesity, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Acupuncture, as a traditional physical therapy method, could affect various metabolic disorders such as obesity, hyperplasia, gout, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in clinical practice. Moreover, electroacupuncture (EA) has been shown to decrease body weight in rats with PCOS; however, the mechanism of weight loss and the relationship between adipose tissue and gut microbiota remain unclear.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To explore the effect and mechanism of EA on white and brown adipose tissues and gut microbiota, and its follow-up effect on reproductive function, in a rat model of PCOS.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Daily EA treatment was administered at ST29 and SP6 in a dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced PCOS-like rat model (PCOS + EA group). Effects of EA on in vivo and in vitro adipose volume and weight, organ weight coefficients, body weight, hormonal profiles, and estrous cyclicity were measured, and compared with untreated PCOS model rats (PCOS group) and healthy rats (control group). Microbial DNA was extracted from the fecal samples to analyze group abundance and diversity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>EA improved estrous cyclicity, decreased body weight, decreased visceral and subcutaneous fat content, and increased brown adipose tissue weight. EA also normalized serum DHT and progesterone levels and improved glucose tolerance. There were few significant differences in the composition or diversity of the gut microbiota between control, PCOS, and PCOS + EA groups, except for the relative abundances of Tenericutes at the phylum level and Prevotella_9 at the genus level, which were significantly different in the PCOS group before and after EA treatment. Both are important microflora, strongly related to body weight.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>EA regulated the metabolic disorders and improved reproductive function in this PCOS-like rat model by adjusting visceral fat and brown fat, as well as intestinal flora.</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39714110","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}