Electro-acupuncture, a modern adaptation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is gaining attention as a potential treatment for obesity. A recent study led by scientists from Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU) and the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has uncovered compelling evidence that this therapy could help manage obesity by targeting a specific protein involved in fat cell formation.
Electro-acupuncture involves inserting needles into various acupoints on the body, followed by a gentle electrical current to stimulate these points. In TCM, this stimulation is believed to activate the body’s natural healing abilities. What makes this study groundbreaking is the discovery that electro-acupuncture may specifically target a protein called osteoprotegerin, which plays a significant role in fat cell development and obesity.
The team’s research, published in the Journal of Advanced Research, demonstrated that osteoprotegerin is crucial in the process of fat cell formation (adipogenesis). They first confirmed this by studying progenitor cells — stem cells that transform into specific tissue cells based on certain protein signals. When glucose and insulin were introduced to mimic the conditions of obesity, the scientists observed that osteoprotegerin production surged, encouraging the formation of fat cells.
In follow-up experiments on mice fed a high-fat diet, the researchers found that increased osteoprotegerin levels were directly linked to weight gain and insulin resistance. When osteoprotegerin activity was suppressed, the mice gained significantly less weight, suggesting that this protein plays a pivotal role in obesity progression.
Could Electro-Acupuncture Be the Answer?
While there is currently no direct way to inhibit osteoprotegerin activity, the researchers turned to electro-acupuncture, a TCM technique traditionally used for weight management. For two months, they administered electro-acupuncture to obese mice, targeting acupoints known to regulate metabolism and treat obesity in TCM. The results were promising: the mice experienced reduced body fat, smaller fat cells, and improved glucose tolerance.
Intriguingly, these positive effects disappeared when the scientists reintroduced osteoprotegerin into the mice, indicating that the treatment had helped lower osteoprotegerin levels. This finding strongly suggests that electro-acupuncture could offer a new pathway for managing obesity.
Following the success in mice, the team conducted a clinical trial in Hong Kong, enrolling 80 participants aged 18 to 65 with excessive visceral fat around their stomachs. Half the group received electro-acupuncture treatment twice a week for two months, while the other half underwent a sham procedure with non-penetrating needles.
While participants didn’t see a significant reduction in overall body weight, those who received electro-acupuncture had a smaller waist-to-hip ratio, improved fasting blood glucose levels, and better insulin resistance. Blood analysis showed lower osteoprotegerin levels in participants who received the treatment, further linking the protein to obesity.
Dr. Quah Teik Joo, an independent expert from Tan Tock Seng Hospital, noted that while these results are still in the early stages of research, they form a solid foundation for future studies. He emphasised the importance of looking at how electro-acupuncture could complement other treatments for obesity and associated illnesses.
