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Background <p>In basic research acupuncture has shown effects on organ systems and tissues. Furthermore, acupuncture is used primarily in Asia for the treatment of (pre)obesity and the secondary metabolic comorbidities.</p> Objective and method <p>Narrative review of basic research regarding the effects of acupuncture on the endocrine system, metabolism, nervous system and microbiome in obesity and metabolic syndrome.</p> Results <p>A total of 23&#xa0;murine basic studies confirmed the effects of acupuncture on (pre)obesity and the metabolic syndrome. In the brainstem and hypothalamus, the neuronal activity and the secretion of neurotransmitters (serotonin, noradrenaline, proopiomelanocortin, etc.) are influenced in the centers for satiety, hunger and addictive behavior. Incretins (leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, neuropeptide Y, glucagon-like peptide 1, GLP‑1, etc.) are also controlled via the neuroendocrine axis. Through auricular branches of the vagus nerve, ear acupuncture can influence organ systems via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, while body acupuncture additionally utilizes the sympathetic-adrenal axis. Acupuncture also transforms white fat into brown fat, thus regulating basal metabolic rate and lipid metabolism. By reducing insulin and leptin resistance, glucose metabolism, e.g., glucose and insulin, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), etc., can also be improved. By the reduction of chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, adipose tissue and the blood circulation (tumor necrosis factor alpha, TNF‑α, interleukin (IL)-6, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B‑cells, NF-κB, etc.), microbial diversity and dysbiosis are optimized (<i>Bacteroidetes</i>, <i>Firmicutes</i>, and <i>Prevotella</i>). All mechanisms ultimately lead to weight loss as well as improvement of fatty liver disease and diabetes mellitus.</p> Discussion <p>Following the confirmation of the diverse mechanisms of action of acupuncture through basic research, new hypotheses regarding the integration of acupuncture into multimodal treatment concepts for (pre)obesity and metabolic syndrome should be tested in high-quality interventional studies based on evidence.</p>

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Präklinische Grundlagenforschung zur Akupunktur bei Adipositas und metabolischem Syndrom (BRADIAKU)

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月19日

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  • Steffi Rothe,
  • Peter Panhofer

摘要

Background

In basic research acupuncture has shown effects on organ systems and tissues. Furthermore, acupuncture is used primarily in Asia for the treatment of (pre)obesity and the secondary metabolic comorbidities.

Objective and method

Narrative review of basic research regarding the effects of acupuncture on the endocrine system, metabolism, nervous system and microbiome in obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Results

A total of 23 murine basic studies confirmed the effects of acupuncture on (pre)obesity and the metabolic syndrome. In the brainstem and hypothalamus, the neuronal activity and the secretion of neurotransmitters (serotonin, noradrenaline, proopiomelanocortin, etc.) are influenced in the centers for satiety, hunger and addictive behavior. Incretins (leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, neuropeptide Y, glucagon-like peptide 1, GLP‑1, etc.) are also controlled via the neuroendocrine axis. Through auricular branches of the vagus nerve, ear acupuncture can influence organ systems via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, while body acupuncture additionally utilizes the sympathetic-adrenal axis. Acupuncture also transforms white fat into brown fat, thus regulating basal metabolic rate and lipid metabolism. By reducing insulin and leptin resistance, glucose metabolism, e.g., glucose and insulin, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), etc., can also be improved. By the reduction of chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, adipose tissue and the blood circulation (tumor necrosis factor alpha, TNF‑α, interleukin (IL)-6, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B‑cells, NF-κB, etc.), microbial diversity and dysbiosis are optimized (Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Prevotella). All mechanisms ultimately lead to weight loss as well as improvement of fatty liver disease and diabetes mellitus.

Discussion

Following the confirmation of the diverse mechanisms of action of acupuncture through basic research, new hypotheses regarding the integration of acupuncture into multimodal treatment concepts for (pre)obesity and metabolic syndrome should be tested in high-quality interventional studies based on evidence.