针刺对肥胖大鼠弓状核作用的研究

目的　探讨针刺减肥的作用机制。方法　观察针刺治疗前后肥胖大鼠体质量、Lee’s指数、体脂、中枢和外周瘦素和胰岛素 (INS)水平以及下丘脑弓状核 (ARC)神经细胞自发放电频率的变化。结果　肥胖大鼠体质量、Lee’s指数、体脂、血清瘦素和INS的水平均显著高于正常大鼠 ,而下丘脑瘦素和INS的水平以及ARC神经细胞自发放电频率均显著低于正常大鼠。针刺治疗取得良好减肥疗效的同时 ,肥胖大鼠血清瘦素和INS水平均显著回降 ,而下丘脑瘦素和INS水平以及ARC神经细胞自发放电频率均显著回升。结论　肥胖机体瘦素和INS血脑运转异常以及ARC神经功能低下可能是产生肥胖的重要原因。针刺对肥胖机体中枢和外周的瘦素和INS水平以及ARC神经功能的良性调整作用可能是针灸减肥的作用机制之一

Study of acupuncture on arcuate nucleus of obese rats

Objective It is to explore the mechanism of acupuncture on obesity. Methods The changes of body weight, Lee’s index, body fat, leptin and insulin (INS) levels of central and peripheral and the pontaneous discharges frequency of nerve cell in the Arcuate nucleus (ARC) in hypothalamus of obese rats were observed before and after acupuncture. Results The body weight, Lee’s index, body fat, levels of serum leptin and INS in the obese rats were all markedly higher than those in the normal rats, but the levels of hypothalamic leptin and INS and the spontaneous discharge frequency of nerve cell in ARC were all lower than those in the normal rats. The marked weight lose effect was achieved with acupuncture treatment while the levels of serum leptin and INS obviously decrease, the levels of hypothalamic leptin and INS, and the spontaneous discharges frequency of of nerve cell in ARC of obese rats were markedly increased. Conclusion The abnormal transport of leptin and INS of blood-brain barrier, and the low nerve function of ARC may be the important reason for obesity. The good regulation function of acupuncture on the leptin and INS levels of central and peripheral, and the nerve function of ARC possibly were one of the anti-obesity mechanism of acupuncture.