Electroacupuncture as a therapeutic intervention for obesity: mechanisms and implications
Lili Hong1,2, Yi An1,2, Xiaoyuan Feng1,2
1Institute of Metabolism and Health, Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, Henan, China.
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Obesity, a prevalent metabolic disease characterized by chronic systemic inflammation and dysregulated energy homeostasis, contributes to comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Despite advancements in lifestyle interventions, pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery, limitations in efficacy and safety emphasize the necessity for alternative therapeutic interventions. Electroacupuncture (EA), a contemporary form of traditional acupuncture, has emerged as a promising non-invasive intervention for obesity. This review synthesizes current evidence on the neuroendocrine, immunomodulatory, and metabolic mechanisms through which EA modulates hypothalamic nuclei, gut-liver axis signaling, white adipose tissue browning, and sympathetic-immune interactions. Preclinical studies have highlighted the potential of EA to enhance satiety signals, restore gut microbiota balance, suppress inflammasome activity, and promote white adipose tissue browning. Future research needs to prioritize human studies, elucidate neural circuitry, and optimize treatment protocols to translate preclinical findings into clinical practice.
