Electroacupuncture stimulation induced M1/M2 polarization in white adipose tissues by activating the Y1 receptor in obese mice to reduce chronic inflammation.

Researchers investigated whether electroacupuncture (acupuncture with electrical stimulation) could reduce chronic inflammation in obese individuals by targeting fat tissue. Chronic inflammation in obesity is linked to serious complications like diabetes and heart disease, and belly fat is a major source of this inflammation. Scientists used obese mice fed a high-fat diet to study how electroacupuncture affects inflammatory processes. They found that electroacupuncture significantly reduced inflammatory markers in the blood, including IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and TGF-β, and decreased inflammation-related gene expression in white fat tissue. The treatment worked by influencing the sympathetic nervous system and activating specific receptors called Y1 receptors on immune cells called macrophages. This activation triggered a beneficial shift in macrophage types from pro-inflammatory (M1) to anti-inflammatory (M2), helping to calm overall inflammation. When researchers blocked the Y1 receptor with a drug, the anti-inflammatory benefits disappeared, confirming this receptor's critical role. The study demonstrates that electroacupuncture can reduce obesity-related chronic inflammation through a nerve-receptor pathway that changes immune cell behavior in fat tissue. This mechanism offers insight into how acupuncture might help manage inflammation-related complications in obesity. While these results are promising, this was an animal study, and human trials are needed to confirm these effects in people. If you're considering electroacupuncture for obesity-related inflammation, consult with a licensed acupuncturist who has experience treating metabolic conditions.

This study examined electroacupuncture stimulation (ES) effects on chronic inflammation in diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mice. Researchers measured sympathetic nerve activity using electrophysiological techniques and assessed macrophage populations via immunostaining and flow cytometry. ES significantly reduced plasma inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, TGF-β) and decreased il-1 and tnf-α mRNA expression in epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT). The mechanism involves ES suppression of sympathetic nerve activity in eWAT, which activates Y1 receptors (NPY1R) on macrophages, promoting M1 to M2 polarization. Administration of Y1 receptor antagonist BIBP3226 blocked this polarization effect, confirming receptor specificity. The study demonstrates that ES modulates the sympathetic-Y1 receptor pathway in visceral adipose tissue to shift macrophage phenotype toward anti-inflammatory profiles. Clinical relevance: electroacupuncture may offer a targeted approach for reducing obesity-related chronic inflammation and associated comorbidity risk through neuroimmune mechanisms in visceral fat depots. Further human trials are warranted to validate translational applications.