| ObjectiveIn order to select the best acupoint combination based on the gut-brain axis of normal mini-pigs by using functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI),we have designed acute electroacupuncture(EA)stimulation.Then the obese mini-pig model was induced by high-fat Diet,and the best selected acupoint combination was treated with chronic electroacupuncture for one month.the aim of this part study was to investigate the effects of EA on gut-brain axis related neurophysiology,metabolic homeostasis,brain-specific function and sweet taste preference in Obese mini-pigs.MethodsThe first part experiment is acute EA stimulation,fMRI、thermography、electrocardiogram(ECG)and so on were used in acute EA experiment on normal mini-pigs.Three groups of different acupoint combinations and one group of Sham EA acupoints were compared targeted on gut-brain axis to select the best acupoint combination.Four adult normal mini-pigs were used as experimental animals.All mini-pigs underwent jugular vein catheterization a week before the start of this trial.Each mini-pig was stimulated by EA at different acupoints every other day according to the Latin equation.Differently,our second part of trial is one-month chronic EA treatment.Sixteen normal adult mini-pigs were randomly divided into(EA)group and Control group.EA group received 12 times EA treatment in one month.Control Group did not have EA intervention.The anesthesia and control methods were the same as EA group.All minipigs underwent jugular vein catheterization as first experiment,blood samples were taken before and after treatment and compared between and within groups.FMRI,thermography,IVGTT,sweet food preference test and fluorescence immunoassay were used to detect the gut-brain axis.The effects of EA on gut-brain axis related neurophysiology,metabolic homeostasis,response of specific brain regions to sweet stimulation and regulation of sweet food preference were tested.ResultsIn the first part of the acute electroacupuncture test,we compared acute EA stimulation at 4 groups of point combinations(3 groups of EA acupuncture points+1 group sham points)with the state of anesthesia without EA,based on gut-brain axis by using fMRI and so on.We found that different combinations of acupoints had different effects on different indexes.Acute EA stimulation at#70-#35 produced specific heat signals,significantly reduced acupoint temperature compared with sham EA,and vagal tone index heart rate variability(HRV)was significantly higher than that of#79-#63,the hormone that transmits appetite signals(total serum ghrelin was significantly lower than sham EA,and active Ghrelin was also lower than other acupoints)was associated with eating pleasure(salivary cortisol was only elevated compared with other acupoint combinations);Prefrontal cortex and striatum were significantly activated,these regions are related to hedonic and cognitively in terms of food intake control.Only acute EA stimulation at#79-#63 did not significantly reduce plasma leptin,plasma insulin was also significantly higher than sham EA.To sum up,we choose the combination of acupuncture points#70-#35.According to the results of the first part,we selected#70-#35 acupoints combination to treat obesity mini-pigs.Obesity mini-pig model was induced by 14-week high fat diet.EA treatment included 12 cessions lasted one month.We found that one-month EA treatment could regulate gut-brain axis and sweet diet preference in obese mini-pigs.After EA treatment,waist,plasma high-density lipoprotein,heart rate variability(HRV),and glucose tolerance index(IVGTT)were significantly improved in EA group.The prefrontal cortex and striatum were also significantly activated after sweet taste stimulation and sweet taste food preference was decreased compared with control group.But there was no significant change in the inflammatory parameters such as haptoglobin,body weight,plasma cholesterol,triglyceride,active ghrelin,and leptin.Conclusionelectroacupuncture is an effective treatment on gut-brain axis in diet-induced obesity mini-pigs.Through the first part of the acute electroacupuncture test,the acupoint combination#70-#35 was selected based on gut-brain axis.The second part of the month-long electroacupuncture treatment improved the gut-brain axis related neurophysiological and metabolic homeostasis,regulated the activity of specific brain areas which are related cognitive and food intake control,also reduced sweet taste food preference in obesity mini-pigs. |
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