Functional magnetic resonance study of the central effects of acute acupuncture on glucose levels and core body temperature in men

Obesity is a major health problem worldwide and acupuncture is an effective treatment modality for this condition. This study focused on how acupoints ST 36 (Zusanli) and SP 9 (Yuan Ling Quan) and their sham acupoints acutely act on the limbic system via dopamine to affect satiety, glucose (Glu) blood levels and core body temperature (CBT) in healthy, overweight, adult, non-dieting Chinese males who have abstained from eating 12 hours prior to the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiment. Results for Glu and CBT indicated no significance (p > 0.05) in both inter- and intragroup comparisons due to variable individual responses to treatment. Hunger survey feedback was significant (p < 0.05) between the acupuncture (ACU) and sham control (min SHAM) groups. Soreness or Deqi, was the only significant (p < 0.05) intergroup sensation. Connectivity analysis utilized the amygdala (AMY) and hypothalamus (HYP) as regions of interest (ROIs). Common overlapping regions for both ACU and min SHAM using the AMY as the ROI were the putamen, caudate, parahippocampus, hippocampus (HIPP), insula, cingulate, and Brodmann areas (BA) 6, 21, 22, 24, 25, 30, 31, 34, 36, 40, and 47. The common overlapping regions for both ACU and min SHAM using the HYP as the ROI were the HIPP, putamen, thalamus, and BA 28, 32, 38, 40, and 47. These areas are involved in dopamine, basal metabolic rate, heart rate, cognition and satiety regulation. This project will be of great importance in helping understand how acupuncture can be a safe, inexpensive, and highly effective treatment modality for weight control.