Effect of Acupuncture on Body Weight Reduction and Inflammatory Mediators in Egyptian Obese Patients.
OBJECTIVE
Aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of body acupuncture on body weight loss, routine laboratory tests and pro-inflammatory markers.


METHODS
The study was performed on eighty obese patients. They were divided into three groups according to their body mass index. Subjects received acupuncture for three- six months in combination with a low-calorie diet. They were assessed pre and post acupuncture, by anthropometric measurement, routine laboratory tests and, tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-α), interleukin- 6 (IL-6), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels in serum.


RESULTS
The pre-acupuncture results showed significant difference between the three grades of obesity and the controls regarding TNFα, IL-6 and hsCRP. We found significant reduction in anthropometric measurement of adiposity after acupuncture. In comparing the pre &post acupuncture results of TNF-α, IL-6 and hsCRP showed high significant reduction after acupuncture. There are highly significant decrease in kidney function (creatinine and uric acid) and lipid profile (cholesterol and triglycerides) and fasting blood glucose, but there was no significant difference in urea, SGPT, SGOT, HDL and LDL.


CONCLUSIONS
Body acupuncture in combination with diet restriction was found to be effective for weight loss and also reduction of the inflammatory reactions. Acupuncture could be used as a synergistic treatment option for obesity control.
National Research Center, Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Cairo, Egypt.
Laila Ahmed Abou
LA
Ismail
National Research Center, Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Cairo, Egypt.
Alshaymaa Ahmed
AA
Ibrahim
National Research Center, Community Medicine, Cairo, Egypt.
Ghada A
GA
Abdel-Latif
National Research Center, Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Cairo, Egypt.
Dalia Adel Abd
DA
El-Haleem
National Research Center, Complementary Medicine, Cairo, Egypt.
Ghada
G
Helmy
National Research Center, Complementary Medicine, Cairo, Egypt.
Lylah M
LM
Labib
National Research Center, Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Cairo, Egypt.
M Kadry
MK
El-Masry
Acupuncture; IL6; Obesity; TNF; hsCRP