Electroacupuncture Combined with Press Needles Alleviates Simple Obesity via VEGF-C/VEGFR-3/PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway

Abstract

Introduction: Simple obesity is an increasingly prevalent chronic condition. While electroacupuncture (EA) has demonstrated potential in addressing this issue, its effectiveness may be hindered by insufficient continuous stimulation and challenges related to patient adherence. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of EA alone versus EA combined with press needles in the treatment of simple obesity and to explore the underlying mechanisms contributing to weight loss. Methods: Eighty simple obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥25.0 kg/m2 were divided into two groups: the observation group (treated with EA combined with press needles) and the control group (treated with EA alone). The efficacy of the treatments was evaluated by monitoring obesity indicators. Additionally, obesity rat models were established through a high-fat diet (HFD), and rats were randomly assigned to three groups: obesity control group (no treatment), EA group, and EA combined with press needles group. Treatment outcomes were assessed by monitoring obesity indicators, examining adipose and liver cell morphology using staining techniques, and evaluating intestinal lymphatic vessel function through qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence analyses. Results: The patients in the observation group exhibited significantly lower body weight (BW), BMI, body fat percentage (F%), abdominal circumference (A), waist circumference (WC), as well as serum levels of intestinal lymphatic function-related factors such as VEGF-C, deltalike ligand 4 (DLL4), and adrenomedullin (ADM) compared to the control group. Similarly, compared to EA group, EA combined with press needles significantly decreased obesity indexes, serum intestinal lymphatic function-related factors, and improved lymphatic vessel function in obese rats. Mechanistically, the VEGF-C/ VEGFR-3/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was inhibited by EA combined with press needles intervention. Conclusion: The combined therapy of EA with press needles had shown significantly superior efficacy in treating simple obesity compared to EA treatment alone. It achieved this by modulating the VEGF-C/VEGFR-3/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, improving lymphatic vessel structure and function, and ultimately inhibiting obesity.