Comparing acupoint catgut embedding and acupuncture therapies in simple obesity: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Review question / Objective: How effective are acupoint catgut embedding therapy sole or with other treatment? Condition being studied: Simple obesity. Information sources: We will search for trials from the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and the Cumulative index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). Trials will also be searched from three Korean medical databases (Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System [OASIS], Science-On and KoreaMed), a Chinese database (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI]) and a Japanese database (CiNii). Ongoing trials, trials will be searched on the Clinical Trials. gov (http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov), and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (http://apps.who.int/trialsearch/). We will also check the reference lists of reviews and the retrieved articles for additional studies. All bibliographic information and articles will be managed using EndNote (X8.2; Clarivate Analytics, Philadelphia). If the data of study are missing or insufficient, we will contact the corresponding authors by email.

Effect of Acupuncture on Simple Obesity and Serum Levels of Prostaglandin E and Leptin in Sprague-Dawley Rats

Aim. The study is aimed at investigating the curative effect of acupuncture on simple obesity and its influence on serum levels of prostaglandin E and leptin in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods. In the study, there are 50 male SD rats. We took 10 as healthy controls and fed 40 with a diet of high fat for 8 weeks. After the 40 rat model was established successfully, we fed 10 rats in the model group with a normal diet and treated 10 rats in the acupuncture group by acupuncture. During the experiment, the body fat and body length of rats were measured weekly, and Lee’s index was calculated. After the treatment, the levels of leptin, prostaglandin E, C-reactive protein (CRP), triacylglycerol (TG), cholesterol (CHO), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were detected, and the liver fat morphology was observed by electron microscope. Results. Acupuncture significantly downregulated the serum levels of CRP, TG, CHO, LDL, leptin, and prostaglandin E and upregulated the serum levels of HDL in rats with simple obesity. Conclusion. On basis of these results, it was found that acupuncture could boost fat metabolism and weight loss by inhibiting the production of leptin and prostaglandin E.

Differences between Obese and Non-Obese Children and Adolescents Regarding Their Oral Status and Blood Markers of Kidney Diseases

(1) Background: A rarely discussed effect of obesity-related glomerulopathy (ORG) may slowly lead to irreversible glomerular damage and the development of chronic kidney disease. These patients need to undertake medical care, but whether they should be included in intensive oral care is still not mandatory. The study aimed to assess a relationship between renal, metabolic, and oral health indicators among pediatric patients affected by simple obesity. (2) Methods: 45 children and adolescents with simple obesity hospitalized (BMI 34.1 ± 4.8 kg/m2, age 15.4 ± 2.3) and compared with 41 aged-matched healthy controls (BMI 16.4 ± 2.4 kg/m2, age 15.4 ± 2.7). Echocardiography, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, ultrasound exam with Doppler, and laboratory tests including kidney and metabolic markers were performed. Oral status was examined regarding the occurrence of carious lesions using decay missing filling teeth (DMFT), gingivitis as bleeding on probing (BOP), and bacterial colonization as plaque control record (PCR). (3) Results: The strongest correlation was revealed between BMI and concentration of uric acid, cystatin C, GFR estimated by the Filler formula (r = 0.74; r = 0.48; r = −0.52), and between oral variables such as PCR and BOP (r = 0.54; r = 0.58). Children and adolescents with obesity demonstrated untreated dental caries, less efficient in plaque control and gingivitis. (4) Conclusions: No specific relation to markers of kidney disease were found; however, more frequent gingivitis/bacterial colonization and significant differences in oral status between obese and non-obese patients were revealed. Susceptibility to inflammation may be conducive to developing metabolic syndrome and kidney damage in the form of obesity-related glomerulopathy and contribute to future dental caries. Uric acid seems to indicate metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular complications (LVMI > 95 percentiles). Cystatin C and uric acid might aspire to be early markers of kidney damage leading to obesity-related glomerulopathy.

Effect of Aerobic Exercise Prescription Combined with Dietary Intervention on MAPK Signal Pathway in Simple Obese Children

Purpose: Observe the effect of aerobic exercise prescription combined with diet control on MAPK signaling pathways in children with simple obesity, to explore the molecular mechanisms of weight loss and health promotion in children with simple obesity. Methods: 18 male children with simple obesity were given aerobic exercise training for 4 weeks, 6 days a week, twice a day, each exercise for 2 to 2.5 hours. The dietitian formulated the corresponding diet according to the metabolic rate and weight of each subject, and strictly implemented it. And body composition, blood glucose, blood lipids, serum insulin and other indicators were test before and after the experimental. In addition, the mRNA chip was used to randomly detect the gene expression in the MAPK signaling pathway in the peripheral blood of 5 subjects before and after the experiment. Results: (1) after 4 weeks, the body shape indicators decreased significantly (p<0.05); the blood glucose and lipid metabolism indicators decreased significantly (p<0.05) (2) The gene chip test results found that before and after the experiment, a total of 27 genes in the MAPK signaling pathway were changed. These 27 genes were involved in the four pathways of ERK1/2, ERK5, p38 MAPK, and JNK. Conclusion: (1) 4 weeks of aerobic exercise prescription combined with diet control could significantly reduce the body fat rate of simple obese children, and could significantly improve their glucose and lipid metabolism disorder. (2) 4 weeks of aerobic exercise prescription combined with diet control could play a significant role in MAPK signaling pathway of simple obese children.

Endocrine Disorders Accompanying Obesity - Effect or Cause?

Endocrine disorders including hypothyroidism and hypercortisolism are considered as causes of secondary obesity. However, several hormonal abnormalities can also be found in individuals with primary (simple) obesity. Part of them results from the adipose tissue dysfunction that, via secreted adipokines, modulates the function of endocrine organs and can be reversed with weight loss. However, part of them correspond to the real endocrine disorder and require appropriate treatment. Therefore in the management of obese patients, it is essential to distinguish between obesity-related abnormal results of hormonal tests and underlying endocrine disorder. This chapter presents pathophysiological concepts of obesity-related changes in the endocrine system and briefly reviews diagnostic algorithms helpful in distinguishing them from the co-existing endocrine disorders.