Efecto de la electroestimulación a baja frecuencia en E36, en un modelo murino de obesidad mediante un análisis proteómico del tejido adiposo

Objective

This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness and characteristics of electroacupuncture (EA) at ST36 in the overexpression of proteins in a murine model of obesity.

Methods

A murine model of obesity with hypercaloric diet was used, n = 6 per group, a sham acupuncture group and a group with EA at ST36, in a 7-week non-randomized controlled experimental trial of treatment. At the end of the treatment body weight, glucose and protein expression of white adipose tissue was evaluated by proteomic analysis.

Results

This study demonstrated the regulation of five proteins using electroacupuncture, and these proteins fulfil a function regulating cellular processes that can lead to homeostasis and respond to the effects of a hypercaloric diet. It is shown that the effect of ST36 presents changes in the metabolism of lipids and triglycerides as well as improving the intercellular processes towards homeostasis, proposing proteins that are regulated using acupuncture.

Conclusions

This study provides a preliminary understanding of the beneficial effects of the effect of electrostimulation at the ST36 point on adipose tissue in a murine model with hypercaloric diet. The proteins that were identified could help to justify the regulatory effect towards cell homeostasis and the therapeutic effect that can be obtained by using this therapy. This work represents the beginnings of the description of the mechanisms of action at the level of protein expression by treatment with electroacupuncture at low frequency.