Abstract
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity and its associated complications poses a significant threat to human health. The application of electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of obesity has been extensively studied. This study aims to investigate the immunological mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of EA on obesity-related inflammation. METHODS: In the present study, obesity was induced in rats through a high-fat diet (HFD), followed by the implementation of EA treatment for a duration of 8 weeks. Additionally, the obese rats were subjected to treatment with both an agonist (Resveratrol) and inhibitor (Sirtinol) of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1). The body weight, fasting blood glucose, and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose levels were regularly monitored throughout the treatment of obese rats. Insulin sensitivity was evaluated through intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test upon completion of the treatment. The weight of perirenal adipose of obese rats was measured, and the size of adipocytes was observed using HE staining. The quantification of helper T 17 (Th17) cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells in peripheral blood and perirenal adipose tissue was performed using flow cytometry. The expression levels of SIRT1 and acetylated NF-κB in perirenal adipose tissue of rats were observed using immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting analysis. RESULTS: Compared to rats on a normal diet, HFD-induced obese rats exhibited insulin resistance (IR), pronounced accumulation of perirenal adipose, an imbalance between Th17 and Treg cells, as well as down-regulated expression of SIRT1. The administration of Resveratrol resulted in the alleviation of the aforementioned symptoms in obese rats. The EA treatment also ameliorated body weight gain, adipose accumulation, IR, and adipose tissue inflammation in rats. Additionally, it was found to enhance SIRT1 expression and reduce acetylation of NF-κB protein. However, the effects of EA treatment on HFD-induced obese rats were partially attenuated by Sirtinol. CONCLUSION: EA exhibits a favorable therapeutic effect on IR and adipose inflammation in obese rats. The underlying mechanism is associated with the promotion of the SIRT1-mediated anti-inflammatory pathway, which regulates the balance between Th17 and Treg cells.