Hamid Abdi

The Effects of Body Acupuncture on Obesity: Anthropometric Parameters, Lipid Profile, and Inflammatory and Immunologic Markers

A randomized controlled clinical trial in 196 obese subjects was performed to examine the effectiveness of body acupuncture on body weight loss, lipid profile and immunogenic and inflammatory markers. Subjects received authentic (cases) or sham (controls) acupuncture for 6 weeks in combination with a low-calorie diet. In the following 6 weeks, they received the low-calorie diet alone. Subjects were assessed at the beginning, 6 and 12 weeks later. Heat shock protein (Hsps)-27, 60, 65, 70 antibody titers and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were also assessed. A significant reduction in measures of adiposity and improvement in lipid profile were observed in both groups, but the levels of anti-Hsp-antibodies decreased in cases only. A reduction in anthropometric and lipid profile in cases were sustained in the second period, however, only changes in lipid profile were observed in the control group. Anti-Hsp-antibodies and hs-CRP levels continued to be reduced in cases but in controls only the reduction in hs-CRP remained. Changes in anthropometric parameters, lipid profile, and anti-Hsp-antibodies were more evident in cases. Body acupuncture in combination with diet restriction was effective in enhancing weight loss and improving dyslipidemia.

Effects of Auricular Acupuncture on Anthropometric, Lipid Profile, Inflammatory, and Immunologic Markers: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study

OBJECTIVES 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.

Effects of auricular acupressure combined with low-calorie diet on the leptin hormone in obese and overweight Iranian individuals

Background Human leptin is a peptide hormone that is released from white adipocytes. The absence of leptin or its receptor leads to uncontrolled food intake, leading to obesity. In the present work, the effects of auricular acupressure combined with low-calorie diet on the leptin hormone level were investigated. Methods Volunteers (n=86) with body mass indices (BMI) between 25 and 45 kg/m2 were randomised into a case (n=43) or a control (n=43) group. Participants in each group received a low-calorie diet for 6 weeks. The case group was treated with auricular acupressure and the control group received a sham procedure. Plasma leptin levels, body fat mass, body weight and BMI were measured before and after treatment. Results Participants who received auricular acupressure showed significant reductions in their plasma leptin levels (18.57%, p<0.01) as well as in their body fat mass (4%, p<0.05). These changes were not observed in the control group. The reduction in leptin was significantly greater in the acupressure group than the controls. Conclusions Auricular acupressure combined with a low-calorie diet significantly reduced plasma levels of leptin. However, the mechanism of this reduction is not clear.

Reduced Serum Levels of Zinc and Superoxide Dismutase in Obese Individuals

The oxidant-stress (OS) has an essential role to play in the pathogenesis and progression of many diseases. OS is the outcome when the level of free-radical-formation is increased or protective-antioxidant-mechanisms are compromised. Its value is expected to increase, although its emerging roles have not been conclusive in different studies. The objective of this study was to explore the level of zinc, copper, and antioxidant in response to obesity-related-stress by measuring superoxide-dismutase (SOD) levels as a key antioxidant-enzyme in 706 individuals with/without obesity. Anthropometric/biochemical parameters including total-cholesterol (TC), fasting-blood-glucose, high-density-lipoprotein (HDL), low-density-lipoprotein, and triglycerides were determined. The activity of SOD was measured followed by the measurement of Cu and Zn levels. Obese subjects had a significantly higher level of body mass index (BMI) and TC, while the level of HDL was lower in the obese group, as compared to the related values in control subjects. The level of Zn was significantly decreased in the obese group, while the level of Cu and Cu/Zn ratio increased. Additionally, we observed that the SOD level was less in obese subjects when compared to that in the non-obese subjects. In addition to the complications of high BMI, low level of Zn and SOD in obesity can be considered a risk factor, resulting in a reduced antioxidant response, supporting the need for identifying a suitable treatment option for this group.

Association between indices of body mass and antibody titers to heat-shock protein-27 in healthy subjects

OBJECTIVES We have assessed the relationship between indices of adiposity and antibody titers to Hsp-27 in healthy subjects. DESIGN Two-hundred and fifty subjects were studied, including 50 normal-weight subjects (body-mass-index (BMI) 25 kg/m(2)), 100 overweight subjects (BMI 25 to 30 kg/m(2)) (n=100) and 100 obese subjects (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)). RESULTS Anti-Hsp27-antibody levels in obese subjects were [0.34 (0.20-0.39) absorbency unit], being significantly higher than overweight and normal-weight groups (P<0.05). Anti-Hsp27-antibody levels in overweight subjects [0.29 (0.15-0.34) absorbency unit] were statistically higher than controls [0.18 (0.10-0.23) absorbency unit] (P<0.05). CONCLUSION High anti-Hsp-27-antibody levels in obese-subjects without established coronary disease may be related to a heightened state of immunoactivation associated with obesity.

The effect of electro-acupuncture on pro-oxidant antioxidant balance values in overweight and obese subjects: a randomized controlled trial study

Abstract Objective To undertake a randomized controlled trial in 196 obese subjects to examine the effect of electro-acupuncture on serum pro-oxidant antioxidant balance (PAB) values. Methods Subjects received authentic acupuncture (cases) or sham acupuncture (controls) for 6 weeks in combination with a low-calorie diet. In the following 6 weeks, they received the low-calorie diet alone. Serum PAB was measured at baseline, and 6 and 12 weeks later. Results We found that serum PAB values decreased significantly in the group receiving the authentic acupuncture compared to the sham treatment (p<0.001) at week 6, and whilst serum PAB increased significantly (p<0.05) in the second phase of the study, a significant difference between two groups remained at 12 weeks (p<0.05). Conclusions Electro-acupuncture in combination with a low-calorie diet was more effective at reducing serum PAB values in obese subjects compared to diet alone. Further work is required to determine the mechanism by which electro-acupuncture has this effect.

Acknowledgement to the Reviewers

Aguilera, Concepción Alcain, Francisco J. Alexy, Ute Almiron Roig, Eva Anderson Berry, Ann Apalasamy, Y.D. Asemi, Zatollah Backx, Evelien Badr, Gamal Ballmer, Peter Barbaresko, Janett Barres, Romain Baumgartner, Jeannine Bernabe-Garcia, Mariela Bertrand-Michel, Justine Ble-Castillo, Jorge L. Boehm, Volker Brazeau, Anne-Sophie Breij, Laura M. Breton, Irene Brighenti, Furio Brittenham, Gary Brouwer, Ingeborg Brouwer-Brolsma, Elske Bruno, Richard S. Burguete-Garcia, Ana I. Calder, Philip Campanile, Fabio Cesare Carlson, Susan E. Catena, Andrés Cepeda Lopez, Ana Carla Cercamondi, Colin Cheng, Guo Chourdakis, Michael Chu, Filmer Chuang, Shu-Chun Clifton, Peter Czech-Kowalska, Justyna Davies, Peter Decsi, Tamás de Hollander, Ellen de Luis, Daniel de Oliveira, Alessandro de Roos, Nicole Domienik-Karlowicz, J. Duarte, Cristiana

Contents Vol. 69, 2016

A. Astrup, Copenhagen A. Berg, Freiburg Z.A. Bhutta, Karachi S.C. Bischoff, Stuttgart F. Branca, Rome R. Brigelius-Flohé, Nuthetal P.C. Calder, Southampton S. Carlson, Kansas City, Mo. I. Cetin, Milan R.J. Deckelbaum, New York, N.Y. T. Decsi, Pécs C.J. Field, Edmonton, Alta. K. Godfrey, Southampton R. Hakkak, Little Rock, Ark. W.S. Harris, Sioux Falls, S.Dak. H. Hauner, Munich M. Hernández-Triana, Havana H. Heseker, Paderborn N. Hiki, Tokyo E. Hypponen, London Y. Kido, Kyoto W. Kimura, Yamagata J. Kopecky, Prague M. Krawinkel, Giessen M. Lamprecht, Graz W. Langhans, Zurich D. Li, Hangzhou J. Linseisen, Neuherberg O. Ljungqvist, Örebro Founded 1959 as ‘Nutritio et Dieta’ by E. Azerad, H. Kapp and J. Trémolières. Continued by A. Wretlind (1961–1969). Continued by N. Zöllner (1970–1990) as ‘Nutrition and Metabolism’ (1970–1980), since 1980 integrating ‘Annales de la Nutrition et de l’Alimentation’, continued as ‘Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism’. Continued by G. Wolfram (1991–1999), Continued by I. Elmadfa (2000–2010) Official Journal of