Raymond Guy Landgraaf1,2*
Michelle Nicté Bloem3
Massimo Fumagalli2Marc Alexander Benninga3Fleur de Lorijn3
Max Nieuwdorp1,4- 1Department of Internal and Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- 2Sinomedica Gui Sheng Tang, Scientific Department, Lugano, Switzerland
- 3Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Pediatric Gastroenterology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- 4Department of Experimental Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
The prevalence of obesity has reached pandemic dimensions. It is associated with multiple comorbidities and is becoming a clinical and public health threat. Obesity is a multifactorial disease with a complex pathophysiology and interplay of various systems. A strong interplay exists between the neuro-endocrine system, the immune system with systemic chronic low-grade inflammation, and microbiome dysbiosis that can lead to the development of obesity, which in turn can exacerbate each of these factors, hence creating a vicious cycle. The conventional treatment with lifestyle modifications such as diet, physical exercise, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery does not always result in sufficient weight control thus paving the way for other strategies. As one such strategy, acupuncture is increasingly used worldwide to treat obesity. This narrative review outlines the evidence for this neuro-endocrine-immune interplay in the pathophysiology of obesity. Furthermore, the existing experimental and clinical evidence of acupuncture as a multi-targeted therapy for obesity is explained and future research perspectives are discussed.
Introduction
Obesity is a complex chronic disease with a multifactorial nature which has now reached pandemic levels affecting all genders and all ages. (1–3). The prevalence of obesity worldwide has nearly tripled since 1975 (4) with more than one billion (39 million children, 340 million adolescents and 650 million adults) worldwide being obese (Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥30kg/m2) (1, 2, 5–8) and with numbers still increasing.
Obesity is caused by an imbalance in energy intake and expenditure, mainly due to a Western sedentary lifestyle and unbalanced eating patterns leading to the expansion of adipose tissue. It is often complicated by metabolic disturbances stemming from insulin resistance (IR) resulting in hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, collectively referred to as metabolic syndrome (MetS) (9). In addition, several studies have shown a link between high BMI and an extensive range of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), several malignancies, musculoskeletal and rheumatological diseases, chronic kidney disease, acute respiratory infections like COVID-19 and mental disorders (1, 5). Moreover, obesity is linked to Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) which was recently suggested to be replaced with the name Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MDSLD) as the term Non-Alcoholic and Fatty were thought to be stigmatizing (10). As obesity is a gateway to many NCD’s there is an urgent need to better understand the underlying mechanisms of obesity as well as develop better multifaceted therapeutic interventions.
The origin of this multifactorial disease is much more complex than a mere result of the overconsumption of high caloric foods above individual needs, and low physical activity (11). From an evolutionary perspective different kinds of explanations have been proposed (12). One of the theories is that the origin of this pandemic stems from adaptations that were previously fundamental in human evolution but have become incompatible with modern environments. This evolution resulted in a genetic selection to predispose for fat retention, leading to excess fat storage when, in modern life, physical effort is no longer needed for survival and there is large availability of high energy foods. This in turn leads to a long-term positive energy balance (2, 12). However, not all people exposed to this modern lifestyle become obese, suggesting the existence of individual genetic mechanisms (13). This evolutionary mismatch hypothesis is still under debate (14).
In addition to the abovementioned theory, multiple contributing factors are associated with weight gain or barriers to weight loss (11, 15). Obesity originates from an interaction of these factors, including social, environmental, genetic, epigenetic, physiologic, and behavioral aspects, as well as a modern sedentary lifestyle (sedentary with unhealthy diet), and cultural, neuroendocrine, and metabolic factors (2, 11, 13).
Importantly, obesity related IR is largely reversible optimising lifestyle factors that include weight loss, improved diet, regular engagement in physical activity in order to avoid sedentariness, stress reduction and sleep sufficiency (16). Lifestyle modification (dietary changes and exercise) is the first-line choice and remains the cornerstone of obesity management (11, 17). A reduction of five to ten per cent of the bodyweight is already related to clinical metabolic improvements (13). Restoring the energy disbalance by mere reduction of caloric consumption and increased exercise is not as easy as it seems. Adherence to the dietary programme is key as weight regain once caloric restriction is stopped, known as the yo-yo-effect, is a common occurrence (18). However, as adherence is usually low, most people cannot lose weight only through increased physical activity and dietary changes (19). Pharmacotherapy is indicated for BMI over 30 kg/m2 or BMI over 27 kg/m 2combined with comorbidity, or when diet and exercise programmes have not resulted in substantial weight loss, in which case a history of failure to lose weight and sustain weight loss is a prerequisite (20). Several drugs have so far been approved and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have recently become more popular because of their ability to induce weight loss as a result of appetite reduction as well as their blood sugar controlling abilities, beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors and reduction of cardiovascular events (21–24). Long-term safety, however, has not yet been proven and medication remains associated with reports of adverse drug reactions (25). Furthermore, pediatric use or application in case of pregnancy and lactation have not yet been approved (11). Due to their severe side effects, including cardiovascular complications, depression, suicidal thoughts, and increased risk of cancer, several weight loss medications, like fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, sibutramine and lorcaserin were withdrawn from the market (26–28). Bariatric surgery is indicated for BMI over 40 kg/m2 or BMI greater than or equal to 35 kg/m 2 combined with comorbidity, with studies reporting reduced cardiovascular risk, reduced chronic inflammation, decreased leptin levels, changes in the gut microbiota and long-term remission of T2DM (11, 17). While nowadays being the most effective treatment for obesity with expected weight loss from five per cent up to 35 per cent, bariatric surgery is accompanied by some surgical risk. Although mortality is less than one per cent, substantial amount of early and late complications might happen in 17 per cent of cases and revision has been reported in seven per cent of the cases (29). Moreover, mineral and vitamin deficiencies are common after malabsorptive operations and require replacement therapy and monitoring for life. Gastro-esophageal reflux, dumping syndrome and weight regain are among the known reported effects (29). The search therefore continues for other innovative multi-targeted therapies for sustainable long term weight loss without side effects. Acupuncture is a popular complementary therapy with mounting clinical and experimental evidence of its effectiveness for the treatment of obesity (19, 30–33). To this end, we have provided two tables with most recent therapeutic findings of acupuncture in animal studies (Table 1) as well as in humans (Table 2). Recent evidence suggests that acupuncture exerts effect on the neuroendocrine system, modulates the immune system reducing chronic low-grade inflammation and regulates the microbiota disbalance associated with obesity (30–33, 49, 51–53). In this review, the complex pathogenesis of this multifactorial disease is explored, focusing on the relationship between neuroendocrine disbalance, chronic low-grade inflammation and the microbiome dysbiosis. Next, this review will look at the evidence of acupuncture as a new multitargeted strategy to treat this complex disease, presenting experimental as well as clinical evidence, both in animal models as in humans. Finally, future perspectives are being discussed.
Table 1 Acupuncture as a multitarget therapeutic solution to a multifactorial disease: animal studies.
Table 2 Acupuncture as a multitarget therapeutic solution to a multifactorial disease: human studies.
Multifactorial pathophysiology of obesity
Neuroendocrine hormonal crosstalk and pathogenesis of obesity
The control of body weight through regulation of energy balance relies on a complex neuroendocrine interplay of integrating peripheral metabolic signals by the central nervous system (CNS) controlling feeding behaviour. Energy balance and food intake are controlled through a coordinated feedback system of neuropeptides and neurotransmitters in the CNS and peripheral signals arising from the gastrointestinal cells in the stomach, adipose tissue, pancreas, intestine as well as nutrients and microbiome (11, 13, 54). See Figure 1 for this dynamic interplay in the pathogenesis of obesity.
Figure 1 Pathophysiology of obesity: a complex orchestra of neuroendocrine cross-talk, chronic low-grade inflammation and microbiota dysbiosis.
Hypothalamus
The neural network in the hypothalamus regulates the energy metabolism and modulates the food intake. It is the key CNS region involved in metabolic homeostasis and consists of several interconnected nuclei responding to fluctuations in energy status through a negative feedback mechanism. These neurons form an orchestrated circuit also integrating other metabolic signals to control energy intake and expenditure (55–57). In particular, the arcuate nucleus (ARC) is of pivotal importance for primarily perceiving peripheral adiposity signals, such as leptin and insulin, and circulating nutrients, such as glucose (58). The ARC contains two populations of neurons, the first of which expresses the anorexigenic peptide proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and the second expresses the orexigenic peptide neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related protein (AgRP). They have an opposing influence on food intake. Neurons in the ARC innervate several other hypothalamic nuclei to integrate emotional and stress responses in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). They also control the metabolic rate through the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) (59). It has recently been found that SIRT1 or Sirtuin1 (silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1) plays an important role in obesity. Among other mechanisms, it regulates adiponectin secretion and inflammatory responses, and contributes to the development of IR and may be a target for IR related metabolic diseases like obesity (60). In obesity there is a hypothalamic dysregulation and disturbed appetite signaling due to a cascade of adipocyte hypertrophy and subsequent chronic low-grade inflammation, which will be further explained below.
Appetite-regulating hormones: leptin, ghrelin, and leptin resistance
There is a complex network of hormones and signaling molecules known as adipokines, playing a role in energy homeostasis. Leptin, resistin and adiponectin are produced by adipocytes, while the other hormones are derived from the gastrointestinal tract. Ghrelin is predominately produced by the stomach, peptide YY (PYY 3-36) and glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1 derive from the small intestine, and insulin and glucagon from the pancreas. Leptin and ghrelin are crucial for the neuroendocrine control of energy homeostasis. The orexigenic peptide ghrelin, also known as “the hunger hormone”, stimulates energy intake and decreases expenditure, whereas anorexigenic adipokine leptin, “the satiety hormone”, reduces energy intake and stimulates expenditure (61). The amount of leptin, produced and secreted by the adipose tissue, is in proportion to the adipose mass. Leptin participates in body weight and energy homeostasis and the impaired leptin synthesis, or sensitivity leads to disturbed energy homeostasis and body compositions (55, 62). In most cases, obese individuals have high levels of circulating leptin failing to control body weight. This suggests hypothalamic resistance to the anorectic effect of leptin (55, 63–65). The lack of response to leptin, known as leptin resistance, is a phenomenon similar to IR in patients with T2DM (66). Western lifestyle characterised by high fat and high caloric intake triggers central and peripheral leptin resistance. POMC and NPY neurons in the ARC are sites of leptin receptor expression. Leptin resistance in the ARC of the hypothalamus has been reported in obese individuals as a result of impairments at several levels in the leptin signaling pathway. Leptin resistance affects food intake regulation and insulin sensitivity, and leads to energy balance dysregulation and a subsequent vicious cycle of further weight gain and hormonal imbalance (62). This dysregulation in hypothalamic leptin signaling subsequently leads to overconsumption of nutrients and increased total body mass, thus aggravating obesity. In conclusion, a crucial hallmark for obesity is the development of resistance to leptin. Finally, ghrelin is a brain-gut peptide produced by the enteroendocrine cells in the stomach stimulating growth hormone production. Ghrelin increases in response to fasting and low nutrient availability and decreases post-prandially and prepares the body to metabolise incoming food and store energy (66). During negative energy balance, ghrelin is metabolically more active. It stimulates the AgRP and NPY expression and inhibits the POMC expression in the hypothalamus. Ghrelin blocks leptin-induced feeding reduction resulting in increased food intake and subsequent body weight (54, 67–69). In obese individuals, ghrelin levels are dysregulated, and normal function is impaired, with ghrelin resistance suggested as an underlying mechanism. However, current knowledge about ghrelin resistance is still limited and more research is needed to fully unravel its role and relevance in obesity (66).
Insulin and insulin resistance
Obesity is a predisposing factor for the development of T2DM as well as IR and is interconnected through numerous complex pathogenic pathways (16, 70). IR induced by obesity is characterised by impaired insulin function, as the adipose tissue induces systemic IR. IR is a key mechanism in many metabolic illnesses and not only a symptom of MetS, obesity, and hyperlipidemia, but also a premonition to T2DM, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers. There is a strong relationship between IR, visceral obesity, and increased free fatty acids (31, 71). In addition, there is a bi-directional effect of IR with the CNS where IR can be caused by a sympathetic activation. However, in turn, the related hyperinsulinemia can further activate the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system (72). Furthermore, obesity is correlated to IR due to its chronic inflammatory responses. The production and secretion of proinflammatory factors like C-reactive protein, IL-6 and TNF-α are increased. This is further explained below. Next, elevated levels of lipid intermediates, free fatty acids and inflammatory cytokines in non-adipose tissues contribute to diminished insulin signalling and the insulin-resistant state present in obese individuals (13). Finally, there is a causal link between gut microbiota dysbiosis and IR (73). In overweight and obese individuals, weight loss and reduction of visceral adipose tissue improves insulin sensitivity (74).
Adipose tissue and lipid metabolism
Adipose tissue is a very complex endocrine organ and produces hormones such as leptin, resistin, estrogen and cytokines (75). In mammals there are three kinds of adipose tissues: white, brown, and beige. White adipose tissue (WAT) is mainly storage of energy whereas brown adipose tissue (BAT) is the main tissue to generate heat and maintain the body temperature. Beige adipose tissue also releases energy by burning calories like BAT but is genetically different. In the context of obesity, adipose tissue inflammation and altered adipokine secretion together with the deterioration of the metabolic function will be further explored below (76). In conclusion, the development of obesity is a complex interplay between leptin, the autonomic nervous system and CNS, adipose tissue, and insulin-resistance (72).
HPA-axis, cortisol: chronic stress & impaired sleep
Stress and obesity are closely related, with one leading to the other and vice versa (77). Stress leads to increased appetite and craving for high calorie foods, resulting in further weight gain, hence creating a vicious cycle. The stress response is regulated by the autonomic nervous system and the sympatho-adrenal-medullary system. The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA-axis) is the main regulator of the body’s stress response. The HPA-axis is triggered by several stimuli (physiological, immunological, and psychological) (77, 78). To obtain physiological homeostasis, the HPA-axis promotes the synthesis of the stress hormone cortisol, the most important glucocorticoid, amongst other hormones. Its activation starts in the hypothalamus with the release of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), stimulating the secretion of the pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) which in turn stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete cortisol (78). Murine models show significant increases in plasma ghrelin after chronic stress in rats, suggesting that appetite increases as a result of stress (77). Chronic overactivity of the HPA-axis with chronic exposure to the stress hormone cortisol has been associated with IR, as well as inflammation and redistribution of white adipose tissue to the abdominal region and can be an important contributing factor in the complex pathogenesis of obesity (78–82). Recent hair cortisol analyses show a positive association between cortisol and obesity, suggesting an altered HPA-axis setpoint and clearly demonstrating elevated serum cortisol in obese individuals (15, 81, 83, 84). Furthermore, chronic stress affects our sleeping behaviour and sleep cycle, and sleep deprivation further lead to stress, again leading to a vicious cycle. Short sleep duration is associated with increased ghrelin levels (85), leading to increased appetite and craving for high caloric foods, and is correlated with an increased risk of obesity (86). In turn, obesity can cause sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea, further impairing sleep quality (86, 87). Additionally, there is a bidirectional link between anxiety, depression, and obesity (88, 89). All in all, these data suggest that chronic stress is interrelated with IR, inflammation, anxiety, depression, and disturbed sleep and could lead to increased weight and obesity. See Figure 1 for the abovementioned neuroendocrine relations.
Chronic low grade systemic inflammation of the adipose tissue and brain
A state of chronic low-grade systemic inflammation and immune dysfunction is involved in the pathogenesis of obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders, like MetS and T2DM (90). Adipose tissue is not only a fat storage organ, but also an important neuroendocrine organ; besides energy storage and expenditure it performs essential functions in metabolic regulation (91). In obesity, adipocyte hypertrophy, hypoxia, mechanical stress, adipocyte apoptosis, and oxidative stress together initiate an inflammatory response with infiltration of immune cells like macrophages (2). This infiltration is associated with a cell population shift from anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages to pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages, and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These cytokines like Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNFα) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and adipokines (leptin and resistin) then spill over into the circulation and contribute to systematic low grade chronic inflammation and dysfunction of the adipose tissue (2, 92). Pro-inflammatory adipokines secretion and decreased release of anti-inflammatory adipokines contribute to obesity-induced inflammation and promotes systemic inflammation and IR (91–93). IL-6 has a controversial role as its action varies in different cells and tissues. It can both exert a proinflammatory as well as an anti-inflammatory action (94). An acute increase due to fasting or exercise mobilizes lipids, but in contrary to this physiological elevated IL-6 level a chronic increase triggers proinflammatory action and leads to pathological conditions like dysregulation of the glucose metabolism, hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance (94).
In addition to the pro-inflammatory milieu in the adipose tissue, research has also revealed obesity related inflammatory changes perturbing brain function, especially affecting brain areas like the hypothalamus-controlling neuroendocrine functions that integrate and regulate energy homeostasis and systemic metabolism. Adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia induce a state of systemic chronic low-grade systematic inflammation resulting in activation of brain immune cells such as astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendroglia. This neuroinflammation further facilitates weight gain and obesity-associated IR (95, 96). Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI), aimed at quantifying brain water content, has recently emerged as a tool to characterise the pathophysiological process of inflammation in the brain. The hypothalamus displays the most prominent alterations in water content, but other surrounding brain regions also show signs of brain inflammation (95–97). This neuroimmune cross-talk is crucial for the understanding and pathogenesis of obesity and developing innovative therapeutic strategies. In conclusion, the intersection between the nervous system, immune system and metabolism is an important factor in the context of obesity and has recently been defined as neuro-immuno-metabolism. As mentioned earlier, in obesity a complex interactive multi-directional relationship exists between the adipose tissue, the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and innate immune cells (72, 98), as shown in Figure 1. The scheme is completed by a missing link: the gut microbiota. Below, the potential causal effect of a gut microbiota disbalance on the pathogenesis of human obesity is explained.
Gut microbiota dysbiosis and gut-brain axis
Recent research has revealed the role of the host gut microbiome in the development of obesity and its influence on host metabolism (99). The gut microbiome consists of micro-organisms present in the human gastrointestinal tract which have co-evolved into a complex system, contributing to the health status of their host (54, 100, 101). The gut microbiota comprise of a multitude of bacterial taxa, of which Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes are the most abundant phyla, accounting for over 90 per cent of the bacterial community in the large intestine (102). Normal gut microbiota exert several functions including protection against pathogens, increasing dietary energy harvest through their metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, as well as directing energy utilisation through generation of metabolic substrates accessible to different tissues (103). Moreover, the gut microbiota affect the immune system and play an essential role in regulating the structural integrity of the gut mucosal barrier (104). Dysbiosis, described as an imbalance of microbial populations, is implicated in the pathogenesis of a large range of diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel disease, neurological disorders, and cancer (105). Diet induced disruptions of the gut microbiome promote white adipose tissue inflammation and expansion, and this microbiome dysbiosis is critical in developing T2DM, MetS and obesity (105).
Indeed, in addition to its well-described contribution to digestion of food, gut microbiota composition is thought to critically influence host health and disease in the context of the gut brain axis (106, 107), where dysbiosis with concomitant increase in pathogens can lead to inflammation and disease (88, 108, 109). The regulatory system linking the CNS and enteric nervous system (ENS) to the peripheral intestinal functions is referred to as the “gut brain axis”. This complex dynamic bidirectional system includes the parasympathetic and SNS (110, 111), immune and endocrine factors as well as the gut microbiota, all regulating gastrointestinal homeostasis (110–114). The vagal nerve, as main component of the parasympathetic nervous system, is important in the regulation of the gastrointestinal system (112), exerting both excitatory as well as inhibitory control over the gastrointestinal tract (115). The role of the SNS is mainly inhibitory (111) and it is likely that its activation via release of stress-hormones such as epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol, contributes to a dysregulation of gut motility (54, 116).
In the context of metabolic diseases such as obesity, the gut brain axis integrates cerebral and gastrointestinal functions in a bidirectional manner, including gut motility, appetite, and body weight control (108). From the gut to the brain, the secretion of metabolites by the gut microbiota promotes the release of intestinal peptide hormones and neurotransmitters, such as PYY, GLP-1, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (117–119). In addition to contributing to regulating peripheral metabolic status (108), these metabolites are thought to influence the CNS via the ENS (120). Via the hypothalamic ARC, they can control the balance of appetite (108, 119, 121, 122). Although the role of 5-HT in obesity has not yet been fully clarified, changes in central and peripheral levels of 5-HT have been implicated in obesity as mediators of feeding behavior and feeling of satiety (119, 122–124).
Pathways in the gut brain axis include alterations in secretion of gastrointestinal fluids, gut motility, modulating gut permeability and mucosal immune response (111). The gut microbiota is affected both directly and indirectly by neuroendocrine efferent systems comprising of the CNS and the HPA-axis (111, 121). In the context of metabolic disorders, the nervous system and HPA axis are thought to influence the gut microbiota composition, specifically the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio, which is of potential relevance in the development of obesity (88, 125). Initial key research in obese mice has shown a lower gut microbiota diversity and an increased Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio compared to lean counterparts (126), and germ-free mice colonised with obesity-associated gut microbiota developed an associated phenotype (125). In human adult twins, obesity was associated with a lower Bacteroidetes abundance, and fecal transplantation thereof into mice revealed further transmissible modifying effects of human gut microbiota on obesity phenotype (127). However, although promising, this microbiota profile does not translate as such in clinical studies in adults with obesity (128). A systematic review of six placebo controlled RCTs reported that fecal microbiota transplantations (FMT) from lean donors into adults with obesity show no improvement of parameters including hepatic insulin sensitivity, BMI, fasting plasma glucose, or cholesterol level, other than a reduction of HbA1c levels at six weeks post-FMT (129). Thus, the regulation of energy metabolism of the host is influenced by many metabolites produced and modified by the gut microbiota as part of the gut brain axis (128). However, this complex interaction is not yet fully explained. Moreover, inherent to the complexity of this bi-directional system, it is likely only one of several ways in which gut microbiota contribute to host health in the context of the gut brain axis. Nevertheless, demonstrating whether specific gut microbiota-based interventions have beneficial effects on weight management and subsequently improved cardiometabolic risk remains a challenge (109, 128). Thus, other interventions should be taken into account.
Acupuncture as a multitarget therapeutic solution to a multifactorial disease
The use of acupuncture in treating overweight and obesity has been a subject of research over the last few decades and has emerged as a safe and effective complementary treatment of obesity (31, 33, 48, 130–132). Acupuncture, used for over 3,000 years to treat various diseases, is performed by inserting fine needles through the skin into specific body sites, called acupoints. Because of its clinical efficacy, cost efficiency and limited side effects, the use of acupuncture is recommended for a wide variety of diseases by the WHO (133, 134). It is based on a system different from modern Western medicine and current research is mainly focusing on clarifying its neurobiological mechanisms. Extensive basic and clinical research both in animal and human models has been performed to understand the physiological and biological mechanisms of acupuncture. These modulatory mechanisms have been further researched due to rapid advancement of biological techniques. The neuro-endocrine-immune regulatory mechanisms of acupuncture are now no longer a complete black box (135).
As explained before, the pathophysiology of obesity is an imbalance of a complex multi-directional interplay of the neuroendocrine and immune system, and the microbiota and gut brain axis including multiple molecular and cellular pathways. In homeostasis these interactions are well coordinated, but in pathology this cross-talk is disturbed, as indicated in Figure 1. Research has revealed that the neurophysiological effect of acupuncture appears to be coordinated by the CNS activation, which is essential for the regulation of the autonomic nervous system and consequently for hormonal and neuroimmune regulation (136). Based on these complex mechanisms, experimental and clinical studies suggest that acupuncture could serve as a multifaceted, multitarget regulatory therapy in the treatment of metabolic disorders, like obesity. Several reviews have found evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of obesity as well as evidence for its underlying neuro-endocrine mechanisms (30–33, 48, 51, 137–139). Acupuncture involves multiple therapeutic mechanisms, including regulation of neuropeptides and neurotransmitters, inhibition of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity and an immune-modulating action through a reduction in levels of proinflammatory cytokines (140, 141). Here, the literature is reviewed, summarising acupuncture’s neuro-endocrine mechanism, its effect on the CNS and on hormones such as ghrelin and leptin, its effect on the immune system and chronic low-grade inflammation, as well as on the gut microbiota and gut-brain axis. First animal studies will be discussed, followed by clinical human studies. It is important to note that there is a strong heterogeneity in the presented studies with different acupuncture techniques varying from manual acupuncture (MA), electroacupuncture (EA), auricular acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. EA is a form of acupuncture where acupoints are stimulated through a weak electric current that pass through the acupuncture needle whereas in auricular acupuncture acupoints in the ear are used (142) Moxibustion is an external heat therapy on acupoints (143). Also, the treated acupoints differed between studies and a specific explanation of what an acupoint is (144) and of the individual points or its combination is not subject of this review. Different techniques and variation between points, treatment duration and frequencies of EA and different techniques of moxibustion might exert a distinct mode of action and might have another outcome. This is further discussed in the limitations section.
Acupuncture and experimental studies: proposed mechanisms
Neuroendocrine effect of acupuncture and glucose and lipid metabolism
Multiple pathways have been studied to understand the underlying mechanism of acupuncture to counter obesity. Evidence showed that acupuncture regulates the secretion of related biomolecules (lipid hormones, neuromodulators, peptide hormones, and neurotransmitters), modulates inflammation, suppresses appetite, regulates lipid metabolism, and promotes browning of white adipose tissue (37, 133, 145).
Hypothalamus
As mentioned previously, the centre of appetite regulation is under the dominant and central control of the CNS, mainly the complex circuit in the ARC of the hypothalamus, and receives afferent and efferent signals from the brainstem and peripheral tissues, such as adipose tissue, pancreas, and stomach. Several experimental studies have revealed the regulatory effect of acupuncture on the body’s functions through modulating the neuro-endocrine network (19, 133, 146). By stimulating the neuroendocrine system, acupuncture can regulate the release of neuropeptides, neurotransmitters and hormones, and modulate relevant molecules of metabolism in obese individuals (133). In several animal studies EA has been proven effective to restrict caloric intake and reduces body weight through increasing the expression of POMC and increasing anorexigenic a-MSH peptide as well as reducing the expression of NPY and AgRP (147–150). Recently, a diet induced obese (DIO) rat model revealed that EA treatment of the acupoints ST36, CV4, CV12 and ST40 promoted the protein expression of hypothalamic SIRT1, which downregulated gene expression of NPY and upregulated that of POMC (34). Another recent animal study investigated how EA treatment of acupoints ST25, CV12, SP6 and ST36 reduces weight through several hypothalamic signaling pathways (35). These findings support the hypothesis that acupuncture suppresses caloric intake and improves IR and obesity through a central mechanism, mainly located in the ARC of the hypothalamus. However, evidence from clinical studies in humans is needed to prove this hypothesis.
Regulatory effect of acupuncture on appetite-regulating hormones and glucose metabolism
Acupuncture is believed to induce loss of appetite through regulating appetite-regulatory hormones like leptin, ghrelin, insulin, and cholecystokinin (CCK). An experimental study performed in high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obese rats shows a body weight reduction and significantly decreased plasma leptin levels after EA treatment of the acupoints ST36 and ST44 (151). Acupuncture seems to reduce leptin serum levels, increases binding between leptin and its receptor, and increases leptin receptor expression in the hypothalamus as well. This suggests that the body weight loss is due to the EA-induced improvement of leptin sensitivity (36, 151). In a study with DIO rats treating acupoints ST36 and SP6, the EA-induced weight loss was due to reduced caloric intake. The underlying mechanisms may be that the orexigenic peptides NPY in the hypothalamus and ghrelin in the stomach were downregulated (147). Moreover, murine and rat models revealed that the reduction of insulin and the improvement of insulin sensitivity might be another explanatory mechanism of acupuncture-induced weight loss (152). In addition, studies show that EA induces hypoglycemic response by stimulating the cholinergic nerves and whole-body glucose uptake was increased by EA activating the parasympathetic and SNS. The most used acupoints in these studies are: ST36, ST40, LI11, CV3, CV4, CV12, ST25 (148, 153–155). Acupuncture can be effective in treating obesity, but the complex neuroendocrine interplay and the mechanism of action of acupuncture at a molecular level should be further explored. The actions of serum leptin on the hypothalamus and the correlations between CCK, insulin and other peripheral hormones as well as its exact relationship with hypothalamus is partly understood and remains to be further researched (148). It also requires further clinical validation in humans.
Effect of acupuncture on lipid metabolism and “browning of white adipose tissue.”
Obesity is a risk factor for the development of NAFLD and weight control is therefore crucial. A mice-model study shows that lipid absorption in the small intestine was inhibited by acupuncture, suggesting the clinical improvement of NAFLD patients (37). Another study in obese rats shows that EA treatment, of the acupoints ST36 and ST44, activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and thereby attenuated hepatic lipid accumulation (156). Indeed, beneficial effects on cardiometabolic parameters such as plasma cholesterol and glucose have been reported upon acupuncture. Application of EA in obese rats improved the lipid profile with a reduction of lower levels of HDL and LDL as well as decreased cholesterol level (152). A possible explanation for this beneficial effect of acupuncture on the lipid metabolism is that its lipolytic effect and inhibition of lipogenesis is caused by the secretion of β-endorphin and leptin promoted by acupuncture (157).
“Browning” of WAT, also known as “beiging”, has become a new target for the treatment of obesity. WAT depots develop features of BAT and become energy-releasing adipocytes instead of energy storing (76, 158). Various stimuli such as the SNS, lifestyle and cold exposure can enhance non-shivering thermogenesis and contribute to the activation of BAT to burn fat and sugars to generate heat (159). But does acupuncture stimulate the browning of WAT? EA has, in fact, also been shown to be effective in WAT browning, as recent murine models have shown (38, 39, 160). EA enhances sympathetic nerve activity and remodels WAT to BAT by promoting mRNA and protein expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1). Moreover, for browning WAT, Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), an NAD+-dependent deacetylase, plays a pivotal role. Through promoting the expression of UCP-1, SIRT1 and other fat browning proteins, adipose tissue plasticity is being induced and chronic low-grade inflammatory state modulated. The most used points in these studies are CV3, CV4, CV12, ST25, CV4, ST36, ST40, ST44 and SP6. (38–40, 145, 160). These may be possible mechanisms of action and anti-obesity targets of acupuncture as shown in Figure 2. Moreover, in another mice model EA, treating acupoint ST25, has shown to exert an action on two underlying anti-obesity effects: lipolysis and thermogenesis (41). It has been shown that the SNS plays a crucial role in lipolysis and the sympathetic associated macrophage (SMA) was inhibited. In addition, the regulating immunologic balance was elucidated, pointing to a potential neuro-immune cross-talk (41). The immuno-modulating effect of acupuncture is discussed below.
Figure 2 Mode of action of acupuncture as a multi-target treatment for obesity management.
Effect of acupuncture on stress and HPA-axis
The neuroendocrine and autonomic responses linking obesity and stress are important targets for the treatment of stress-induced obesity. Acupuncture involves multiple mechanisms by which it exerts its anti-stress action. Experimental studies showed that acupuncture regulates anti-inflammatory pathways (reduction of proinflammatory cytokines), as well as neurotransmitters and neuropeptides; it regulates the autonomic nervous system, promotes signaling pathways and may inhibit the hyperactivity of the HPA-axis induced by stress stimulation (133, 140, 141). A rodent model suggests that the stress-response is regulated by acupuncture through promoting “glucocorticoid” receptor (GR) protein expression, inhibition of CRH, downregulation of ACTH level and subsequent decreased GC level. This study shows that the regulation of the HPA-axis trough EA, treating acupoints SP6, KI9, LR14 and BL23, is one of the explanatory mechanisms by which acupuncture modulates the stress response (161). A recent animal study has shown that EA at acupoint PC6 regulates the neuroendocrine and autonomic reaction induced by stress (162).
Acupuncture action on immune system and chronic low-grade inflammation
As discussed before, the immune system and chronic low-grade inflammation play an essential role in the pathophysiology and development of obesity (163). Mounting evidence has gradually recognised that acupuncture modulates and regulates the immune system in multiple systems and multiple diseases. This non-invasive technique has emerged as a promising treatment for immunomodulation (133, 135, 145, 164–166). In murine models, general anti-inflammatory effects of acupuncture involve the regulation of multiple types and functions of the innate immune system, including macrophages, mast cells and granulocytes, as well as the adaptive immune system, such as lymphocytes. Several animal studies show that the pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages are downregulated and the anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages are upregulated through MA and EA on ST36 (167). This leads to the associated release of anti-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-β, IL-10, and the inhibition of the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1, and promotes the expression of anti-inflammatory tissue repair factors. Apart from macrophages, acupuncture also regulates mast cells and the quantity of neutrophils and increases the activity of NK cells. Acupuncture controls the adaptive immune system by regulating the lymphocyte Th-cell balance as well as adaptive immune cytokines to initiate the immune response and repair damage (41, 164, 167–169). Acupuncture also seems to regulate oxidative stress, which is associated with chronic inflammation in the adipose tissue. In a recent metanalysis of 12 animal studies, acupuncture appears to reduce oxidative stress through the activation of the antioxidant enzyme system and lowering of lipid peroxidation (170). Another rat model shows that acupuncture, treatment of acupoints GB34, LR3, ST36 and SP10, exerts an antioxidant action and showed neuroprotective properties (171).
Moreover, the hypothalamus is crucial for both innate and adaptive immunity. Acupuncture has also shown to be effective to reduce neuro-inflammation through the inhibition of the activation of glial cells (astrocytes, microglia and oligodendrocytes). More specifically for obesity and obesity metabolic related disorders like T2DM, acupuncture regulates several signaling pathways affecting the production of inflammatory cytokines to inhibit inflammation. In a review of Li et al., several animal studies report the effect of acupuncture on DIO rats. The most used acupoints were ST36, ST37, ST39, SP6, LI4, LR3, CV4, KI1, ST40, GB34 (164). Among other signaling pathways, it downregulates the pro-inflammatory factor TNF-α and inhibits the macrophage proliferation and infiltration of macrophages into adipose tissue and, in turn, stimulates the anti-inflammatory adipokine balance lowering the adiponectin/leptin ratio. In addition, the chronic low-grade inflammation is reduced, and insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance improved, and blood lipid content lowered (164).
The CNS plays a pivotal role in integration of acupuncture-driven information. Several main regulatory pathways can be distinguished through which acupuncture exerts its anti-inflammatory effect: cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAIP), vagal-adrenal medulla-dopamine pathway, spinal sympathetic pathway, HPA-axis, and the brain-gut axis (BGA). First, looking at the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAIP), upon adrenalectomy and vagotomy, the anti-inflammatory effect of EA was blocked, implying the anti-inflammatory effect of the activation of the CAIP. Second, in relation to the vagal-adrenal medulla-dopamine pathway, EA can modulate body-physiology through somatosensory autonomic reflexes. These reflexes start with the stimulation of peripheral nerves followed by transmission of sensory information to the brain and subsequent activation of autonomic pathways such as inhibiting systemic inflammation (164, 172). A High-Fat-Diet (HFD) induced rat model examined the relation between the autonomic nervous system and the anti-inflammatory effect of EA treatment of acupoint ST36. Here it was concluded that EA inhibits low-grade inflammation and this mechanism was closely related to the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway as well as enhancement of the vagal activity (42). It has been demonstrated that through acupuncture signals the vagal-adrenal medulla reflex is being triggered and dopamine is being released, exerting an anti-inflammatory effect. Neurons innervating the deep hindlimb fascia, the so-called PROKR2Cre-marked sensory neurons, are fundamental for driving the vagal-adrenal axis (173). Experimental studies show that low-frequency EA of acupoint ST36 stimulates dopamine secretion, modulating vagal activity and thereby exerting an anti-inflammatory effect (174). Catecholamines from the adrenal gland are released by acupuncture stimulation and by acting on peripheral dopamine D1 receptors produce systemic anti-inflammatory effects (175). Moreover, the spinal sympathetic pathway plays an important role because its activation through acupuncture has an anti-inflammatory action. After sympathectomy the anti-inflammatory effect of acupuncture significantly reduces, also indicating a role of the latter pathway. Furthermore, it has been shown that acupuncture bi-directionally regulates the HPA-axis restoring the normal anti-inflammatory action. One of the possible explanations is that acupuncture exerts its anti-inflammatory effect through the regulation of intestinal flora, which is further explored below (135, 164, 168). Lastly, acupuncture exerts an effect on the bi-directional brain-gut axis (BGA). A somatosensory-autonomic reflex pathway controls intestinal inflammation, thereby restoring BGA balance. In addition, the changes in the gut microbiota are transmitted to the brain via the sympathetic nerves or the vagus nerve (135). This is also further reviewed below. In conclusion, accumulated evidence shows that acupuncture exerts a strong anti-inflammatory effect and reduces chronic low inflammation as shown in Figure 2, and human studies are needed to validate these findings.
Effect of acupuncture on gut microbiota and gut-brain axis
Acupuncture and the gut microbiota
Recent research in both animal models and humans has focused on the possible role of the gut microbiota in acupuncture, as acupuncture can potentially regulate the neuroendocrine-immune system of the body and improve the intestinal microenvironment. Several animal studies suggest that acupuncture may affect the gut microbiota, and this may play a role in the effectiveness of acupuncture (43–45, 176–179). In obese male rats, EA decreased the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio compared to obese rats who did not undergo acupuncture (43). The microbiota profile at genus level after eight weeks of acupuncture treatment was similar to that of a control group on a normal diet (43). Mice on a high-fat diet (HFD) treated with EA showed increased gut bacterial diversity over time (46). Similarly, mice on a HFD treated with daily EA for 21 and 28 days showed higher alpha-diversity after treatment compared to the gut microbiota of obese control mice (45). In addition to improved body weight, serum leptin, lipid, and adiponectin levels after EA, a potential action mechanism is described of acupuncture via the ENS (45). In a more recent study, EA for 21 days in high-fat DIO mice rescued dysbiosis of the gut microbiota in the cecum (179). Moreover, acupuncture treatment has been linked to inhibition of gut dysbiosis in various animal models, including in male mice models for IBS (180) chronic colitis (181), T2DM (44), Parkinson’s disease (176) and insomnia (177). In male rat models with post-inflammatory irritable bowel syndrome, acupuncture and moxibustion treatment were independently associated with changed gut microbiota (178, 182). Combined, this evidence potentially underscores an association between acupuncture and changes in gut microbiota in several disease models, including but not limited to obesity and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, although the causality remains to be further evaluated. Specifically, the exact mechanism of action of acupuncture on the microbiota structure remains to be further evaluated but is suggested to be linked to the gut brain axis, as described below.
Acupuncture and the gut-brain axis
Although limited, some animal studies have suggested a role for acupuncture via regulation of the ENS as part of the gut-brain axis. The SNS, influencing the ENS, exerts a mainly inhibitory role over the gastro-intestinal tract (115) and it is likely that its activation via release of stress-hormones such as epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol, contributes to a dysregulation of gut motility (116). Among the peripheral gastrointestinal hormones, 5-HT is an important neurotransmitter in the gut brain axis (117). Although the function of 5-HT has not yet been fully explained, several studies describe a role on secretory and peristaltic reflexes, by stimulating enteric neurons (110, 117). A study in mice suggests improved colonic motility after treatment with EA via regulation of the ENS, through alteration of both excitatory and inhibitory enteric neurons (183). In two rat models with diarrhea-prominent irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), EA at ST25, ST36 and LR3 alleviated IBS-D symptoms and lowered the levels of NPY and 5-HT in the gut brain axis, suggesting restored balance of the gut brain axis (184). Moreover, in adult patients with constipation dominant-IBS (IBS-C), an RCT comparing EA to mild-warm moxibustion treatment at ST25 and ST37 showed improvement of defecation frequency compared to baseline up to three months after treatment, and the effects of EA were proposed to be mediated through alleviation of visceral hypersensitivity and improved brain-gut function as visualised with fMRI (185). Additionally, several studies in animals and humans show altered levels of stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine, and changes in 5-HT associated with acupuncture, although mostly in the context of visceral pain management (186–189). In mice and rats with IBS-associated visceral hypersensitivity, treatment with EA significantly reduced 5-HT and 5-HT receptor mRNA expression levels compared to sham-treatment and was associated with attenuated visceral hypersensitivity (186, 187). In the context of obesity, a potential role for 5-HT on thermogenesis of brown adipose tissue in mice has been reported (189) and gut microbiota are directly implicated in the process of peripheral 5-HT biosynthesis in their host, both animals and human adults with obese phenotypes (122, 190, 191). However, the clinical relevance and changes in these hormonal levels related to acupuncture treatment have not (yet) been studied in the context of acupuncture treatment in mice or humans with obesity.
Acupuncture clinical human studies
Neuroendocrine system
In human trials acupuncture emerges as a potentially effective complementary treatment of obesity as it is thought to induce loss of appetite, down-regulates insulin and leptin resistance, and lowers ghrelin as well as glucose levels (31, 32, 192). A systematic review of acupuncture in adults with obesity, which reviewed 11 sham-controlled RCTs published in English, suggests that acupuncture, including EA, ear acupuncture and MA, was indeed effective in reducing BMI, hip- and waist circumference, body fat mass, but not body weight. The most used acupoints are LI4, LI11, ST25, ST36, ST44, GB28, CV4, CV9, CV12, SP6, LV3 (193). Due to the limited sample size, heterogeneity and varying methodologic quality, further assessments are necessary. Acupuncture treatment of acupoints LI4, ST36, ST44, SP6, ST25, GB28, CV4, CV6, CV12, SP6, LI11, ST40, SP9 alone or combined with low-calorie diet had beneficial effects on serum leptin levels (52, 194). Due to methodological limitations, lack of homogeneity of the included studies and small effect sizes, these findings should be taken with caution. Park et al. included eight RCTs in their systematic review and concluded that a combination of acupuncture and diet therapy or exercise was more effective than diet and exercise alone in reducing serum leptin levels. Between verum acupuncture and sham acupuncture, however, there was no significant difference, although compared to oral anorexiant therapy or no treatment, acupuncture was proven to be more effective. Again, due to methodological limitations, the results should be used with care (32). In a systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 RCTs Wu et al. showed that acupuncture could be a viable option in treating IR by reducing fasting insulin (FINS) levels, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and 2h postprandial blood glucose (2hPG). Methodological flaws, however, limit these conclusions (47, 71). A small clinical study of 16 obese women showed that EA treatment of acupoints BL18, BL20, BL21, BL23, LI10, LI11, ST36 was effective in reducing glucose level, whereas auricular acupuncture did not (195). This finding is in line with the animal models where EA was shown to act on the glucose metabolism. Again, this study has limitations as it was an uncontrolled pilot study. On the other hand, a systematic review of 33 RCTs performed by Chen et al. concludes that the effects of acupuncture on blood glucose are uncertain. They did report a significant, albeit small reduction of body weight, BMI and waist circumference compared to the non-acupuncture groups. Furthermore, reduction of serum lipid parameters has been found (48). The evidence is of moderate to very low quality and well-designed large trials with long-term follow up are needed.
Chronic low-grade inflammation
Although there is substantial animal evidence, human trials studying the effects of acupuncture and chronic low-grade inflammation in obesity are limited. Acupuncture has shown to be effective in several inflammatory disorders, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), effectively regulating the inflammatory factors (196). An RCT reviewing EA performed in obese women noted no difference in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, but positive effects in the anti-heat shock protein (anti-Hsp), concluding that acupuncture exerts immunomodulatory effects on the human immune system but not anti-inflammatory effects. In a sham-controlled RCT of 196 obese subjects a significant decrease in preoxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) was found in the treatment group (acupuncture combined with low-calorie diet) compared to the control group (diet alone). Here the EA treatment used acupoints ST25, GB28, CV6, CV9, CV12, SP6, LI11, ST40, SP6, SP9. This is in line with animal studies showing that oxidative stress is reduced by acupuncture (197).
Gut Microbiota and gut brain axis
As described previously, some evidence in animal models of acupuncture on obesity and modulation of gut microbiota composition is presented. In humans, the evidence is still scarce but emerging changes in species abundance and diversity of the gut microbiome have been documented in patients undergoing treatment with EA (49, 53, 198). In perimenopausal women with abdominal obesity, EA for eight weeks in combination with diet decreased the abundance of the species and increased the species diversity of gut microbiota (49). After EA treatment, notably the two species Klebsiella and Kosakonia were increased in perimenopausal patients (49). In adult studies using acupuncture for various conditions, emerging evidence points towards an effect of acupuncture on the gut microbiome via the gut brain axis. A recent sham-controlled study in adults with antipsychotic-related constipation treated with EA showed that richness of various bacterial strains such as Klebsiella and Gammaproteobacteria was significantly higher after acupuncture, and was associated with significantly increased spontaneous bowel movements and reduced use of rescue medication. Moreover, Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio was increased post-treatment (198). In a population of patients with knee osteoarthritis, eight weeks of EA modified gut microbiota diversity and microbiota richness of species (53). In healthy adults, a recent study on acupoint application treatment - a non-invasive modality of traditional acupuncture - showed increased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio after three sessions in 24 months compared to sham control group (199). It should be noted that true clinical consequences of the changes in gut microbiota in obese patients are to date not established in humans. As described previously in the section “Microbiota dysbiosis and gut-brain axis”, changes in diversity and richness of the microbiome have been linked to many significant biological changes with consequences for human health (106, 107); in the context of obesity, a dysbiotic Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio is frequently reported (107, 125). However, the clinical relevance of the currently presented changes in microbiota profiles after treatment remain to be evaluated. Indeed, this “signature” dysbiosis is mainly shown in rodent models, as studies in humans report varying results regarding microbiota profiles (128, 129, 200), which could be the result of methodological differences between studies and differences in gut microbiota sample processing (99). The varying duration of interventions, use of different acupoints, and the variety of sex and age distribution potentially impact the results. In acupuncture studies, including microbiota profiles in animal models, mainly male rodent models are used. In the few studies in adults, sex distribution differs between studies, ranging from women only (49) to two-thirds of the population subgroups being women (53, 198, 199). Recent studies reported that changes in the gut microbiota associated to metabolic illnesses are different in men and women (201) and this could be translated to acupuncture treatment (50). To the best of our knowledge, no studies analysing acupuncture in combination with gut microbiota analysis in children have been performed to date. This evidence combined, although limited, suggests that acupuncture may affect constituents of the brain-gut axis, including the enteric and autonomic nervous system and the gut microbiota, and this potential mechanism of action should be investigated further when evaluating acupuncture in patients with metabolic diseases.
Acupuncture combined with lifestyle intervention.
An adequate strategy to reduce weight is a Very Low-Calorie Diet (VLCD) (202). As mentioned before, however, losing weight is not as easy as it seems as adherence to diet is low and calorie restriction might increase cortisol levels and perceived stress (203). As previously discussed, acupuncture seems to reduce appetite through its neuro-endocrine regulation and reduces cortisol levels and stress. However, acupuncture alone seems not to be clinically effective on body weight loss (33). Therefore, a combined intervention of VLCD and acupuncture is proposed. In line with previous research (31, 32, 48, 192) acupuncture combined with lifestyle modification (diet alone or diet in combination with physical exercise) showed greater reduction of body weight than acupuncture alone. Also, greater serum leptin levels reduction was found when combining acupuncture with diet (32). A synergetic effect between lifestyle modifications and acupuncture is therefore suggested and this combined intervention may be a more effective and viable option. Recently, a large-scale retrospective chart review was performed of 11,233 obese patients with combined acupuncture and VLCD underscored that the combination can induce weight reduction in obese patients (50). However, due to the lack of a control group, a prospective trial is needed to validate these findings and therefore such RCT is currently executed.
Safety and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture
Outcomes of systematic reviews on the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture both in adults and in children support the notion that acupuncture is well-tolerated and can be considered a safe intervention (48, 139, 192, 204, 205, 131). The frequency of reported adverse events (AEs) associated with adult and pediatric needle acupuncture is low and most AEs are mild and transient. Reported AEs include mild ecchymosis, bleeding, pain upon needle insertion,dizziness caused by acupuncture and EA and mild skin burns caused by moxibustion (48, 139, 204, 205). Another noteworthy factor when considering acupuncture for obesity is the potential cost-effectiveness. Worldwide, obesity represents a significant economic burden in developed as well as developing countries (206). Although a cost-effectiveness analysis has not yet been performed in the context of obesity, several cost-effectiveness analyses of acupuncture versus usual care for varying conditions (dysmenorrhea, allergic rhinits, osteoarthritis, headache and acute lower back pain) show a benefit for this treatment modality (207, 208). Its cost-effectiveness should be further evaluated in the specific case of obesity, especially considering the current treatment options ranging from dietary changes and prescription medication to bariatric surgery.
Limitations and future direction
In conclusion, acupuncture might be an effective, safe and cost-effective method for obesity. However, the results remain controversial and conclusions should be taken with caution. There are several limitations in the studies regarding presented obese animal models. First, the treated acupoints differed between studies and an explanation for the use of these points was not at all or only partially provided in most studies, basing it on a proposed transposition model of acupoints in rodents and referring to the points used in a human trial by who based the points on expert opinion. Different acupoints might regulate different biological pathways and a combination of points may activate several pathways simultaneously and standardization is lacking. Furthermore, frequencies of EA, durations of the treatment and wave types varied as well as different moxibustion techniques were applied. Among others, the most used acupoints in both animal and human studies in the context of obesity are ST25, ST36, CV9, CV12, CV4, SP6, ST44 (146). The exact mechanism of the single actions of the points and the combination of points, however, must be further elucidated. The myriad of studies thus has individual variabilities which makes it difficult to evaluate systematic reviews or meta-analyses for their accuracy and applicability to clinical practice. With regards to human studies, the quality of most included RCTs is low due to high heterogeneity of interventions (MA, EA, auricular acupuncture, moxibustion) different points were used and studies used with and without diet and/or exercise. Also, inclusion criteria (gender, age, BMI) and studied endpoints differed widely. Most studies that have been reviewed are low in sample size, have a short follow-up and overall high risk of bias. Moreover, there is a lack of consensus of general accepted criteria and international accepted protocols regarding the acupoint selection and technique, caused by a strong doctor variability, and existence of numerous acupuncture traditions. There is also a publication-geographical bias as many RCTs were conducted in China and the question remains whether these findings may be extrapolated to the rest of the world. Due to these methodological flaws the real effects may be distorted and quality of the evidence is weak preventing us from drawing definitive conclusions. Lastly, there is a continuous academic discussion about the use of sham-acupuncture for placebo-controlled studies. Acupuncture is often criticised for having a placebo effect. Compared to “real acupuncture”, sham techniques might exert similar biological effects and its use should be reconsidered (209). These limitations make acupuncture an avenue for treatment but do yet not support mainstream treatment until further rigorous research is conducted in this field. Future research should try to overcome these methodological limitations and therefore well-designed rigorous RCTs and multi-centre trials with large sample size and protocolized standard treatments are needed to draw evidence-based conclusions about the beneficial effect of acupuncture as a treatment for obesity. Furthermore, the understanding of acupuncture’s action mechanism may be further researched thanks to the advancements in systems biology, modern omics technology and emerging techniques to analyse biological information such as tracer technology, i-needles, metabolomics, two-photon technology, and cryo-electron microscopy technology. This will enable acupuncture’s action on the neuro-endocrine-immune network to be elucidated (133, 175). This progress in biomedical research combined with future clinical trial should shed greater light on acupuncture as a viable treatment option for obesity. Lastly, research should also be focused on the accessibility and equity of acupuncture practice. For multiple reasons acupuncture implementation has been limited due to fact of the limitations in the insurance reimbursement as well as the fear for needles as a potential barrier (210).
Conclusion
Obesity is a multifactorial and multiorgan disease, and its pathophysiology can be explained by a complex orchestra of a neuro-endocrine crosstalk, chronic low-grade inflammation, and microbiota dysbiosis. The patho-physiology creates one vicious cycle leading to another, with obesity leading to chronic low-grade inflammation, enhancing gutmicrobiota dysbiosis, insulin and leptin resistance. In this review the interplay of these seemingly independent systems have been reviewed. Despite its apparent simplicity, the solution to losing weight is not as easy as it seems, and the search for other options other than lifestyle modification, medication and bariatric surgery is ongoing. Modern medical research mainly relies on a reductionist approach, studying single systems and components of the problem on a molecular level. A viable “new” treatment option is acupuncture and has been the subject of our narrative review. So far, the mechanisms for the beneficial effects of acupuncture for obesity management have been revealed by several experimental animal studies including regulation of the neuro-endocrine system, low-grade inflammation and gut microbiota brain axis. In light of the presented findings, acupuncture might be an effective, safe, and cost-effective therapeutic strategy for obesity. These results on the functional mechanism, however, have not yet been fully extrapolated and validated in human studies, and due to the numerous limitations in the conducted research, available findings in humans are inconclusive and results scarce. Thus, there is a strong urge for more careful analysis and further rigorous prospective comparative research. A combined treatment with acupuncture and diet shows promising results and will be the subject of future research by our group.
Author contributions
All authors critically reviewed the paper, RGL bears full responsibility for the content. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.
Acknowledgments
We thank M. Wijdeveld for her help creating the Figures 1, 2 and H. Pijl, G. Lupi, N.C. de Clercq, R.J. de Muinck Keizer, H.J.R. Hoenders, E.C. Waarsenburg, J. van de Pas, and B.F.M. van den Brand for proofreading the article and for their precious advice. We thank all staff members at Sinomedica. Finally, we dedicate our work to all patients suffering from obesity, as they motivate and inspire us to execute this work.
Conflict of interest
MF is the founder and main shareholder of Sinomedica, RGL is a minor shareholder of Sinomedica and receives a salary for this research work. Sinomedica is a group of 7 centers in Switzerland performing medical acupuncture.
The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be constructed as a potential conflict of interest.
Publisher’s note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Abbreviations
5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptamine; ACTH, adrenocorticotropic hormone; AE, adverse events; ARC, arcuate nucleus; BMI, body mass index; CRH, corticotrophin-releasing hormone; CNS, central nervous system; DIO, diet induced obese; EA, electroacupuncture; ENS, enteric nervous system; FMT, fecal microbiota transplantation; GABA, gamma-aminobutyric acid; GLP-1RA, glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist; HFD, high-fat diet; HPA-axis, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis; IBD, irritable bowel syndrome ; IBS-D, diarrhea-prominent irritable bowel syndrome ; IBS-C, constipation-prominent irritable bowel syndrome ; IR, insulin resistance; MA, manual acupuncture; MDSLD, Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease; MetS, Metabolic syndrome; NPY, neuropeptide YY; PYY, peptide YY; RCT, randomised controlled trial; SNS, sympathetic nervous system; T2DM, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; VLCD, Very Low Carbohydrate Diet.
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Keywords: obesity, weight-loss, acupuncture, chronic low-grade inflammation, gut microbiota dysbiosis, appetite regulating hormones, leptin resistance, insulin resistance
Citation: Landgraaf RG, Bloem MN, Fumagalli M, Benninga MA, de Lorijn F and Nieuwdorp M (2023) Acupuncture as multi-targeted therapy for the multifactorial disease obesity: a complex neuro-endocrine-immune interplay. Front. Endocrinol. 14:1236370. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1236370
Received: 07 June 2023; Accepted: 29 August 2023;
Published: 18 September 2023.
Edited by:
Rifka C. Schulman-Rosenbaum, Northwell Health, United StatesReviewed by:
Maleeha Zahid, Baylor College of Medicine, United StatesMd. Abdul Alim Al-Bari, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Lubaina Presswala, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, United States
Copyright © 2023 Landgraaf, Bloem, Fumagalli, Benninga, de Lorijn and Nieuwdorp. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Raymond Guy Landgraaf, cmF5bW9uZC5sYW5kZ3JhYWZAc2lub21lZGljYS5jb20=