Effects of auricular acupuncture on anthropometric, lipid profile, inflammatory, and immunologic markers: a randomized controlled trial study.
OBJECTIVE
A randomized controlled clinical trial was performed to examine the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture on body weight loss and its impact on lipid profile, and immunologic and inflammatory markers in obese subjects.


METHODS
Participants (n=204) were randomized to therapeutic acupuncture and control groups. Subjects received authentic (cases) or sham (controls) acupuncture for 6 weeks (first period) in combination with a low-calorie diet. In the next 6 weeks (second period), the low-calorie diet was used on its own. Subjects were assessed at the beginning and 6 and 12 weeks later. In addition to anthropometric and lipid parameters, serum anti-heat shock protein (Hsp)-27, 60, 65, 70 and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were assessed.


RESULTS
In the first period, anthropometric parameters and hs-CRP changed significantly in both groups, while significant changes in anti-Hsp antibodies were only observed in case subjects. In the second period, which shows the sustainable effects of acupuncture, changes in anthropometric parameters were more prominent in controls, while significant reductions in the group receiving authentic acupuncture were maintained for anti-Hsp antibodies. A comparison between the first and second period in both groups showed that the changes for most of the parameters were more significant in the first period. Comparison between cases and controls showed that authentic acupuncture was more effective in reducing the levels of anthropometric factors and anti-Hsp antibodies but not hs-CRP.


CONCLUSIONS
Auricular acupuncture in combination with diet restriction was effective for weight loss and dyslipidemia. Moreover, it was found that it has immunomodulatory but not anti-inflammatory effects on the immune system by regulation of the levels of anti-Hsp antibodies.
Biochemistry of Nutrition Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran.
Hamid
H
Abdi
Parisa
P
Abbasi-Parizad
Baixiao
B
Zhao
Majid
M
Ghayour-Mobarhan
Shima
S
Tavallaie
Amir Ali
AA
Rahsepar
Seyyed Mohammad Reza
SM
Parizadeh
Mohammad
M
Safariyan
Mohsen
M
Nemati
Maryam
M
Mohammadi
Mahsa
M
Darbandi
Sara
S
Darbandi
Gordon A A
GA
Ferns
D020831:Acupuncture, Ear; D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D005260:Female; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*
D000906:Antibodies; D015415:Biomarkers; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D008055:Lipids; D002097:C-Reactive Protein