Role Of Brown Adipose Tissue Characteristic Genes In Resisting Obesity

Objective: To study the brown adipose tissue (BAT) characteristic genes expression in diet-induced obesity-resistant (DIO-R) and diet-induced obesity (DIO) rats .Methods: Forty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group and high-fat group and they were fed with basic diet and high-fat diet respectively for 5 weeks. DIO-R and DIO rats were selected according to their body weight, then the intake of diet and body fat contents were measured, the expression levels of BAT specific genes were determined by real-time PCR and western blot.Results: The results showed that the body weight, pararenal or epididymal white fat tissue in DIO-R rats were significantly lower than those of DIO rats ( P < 0.05) . Meanwhile, the interscapular BAT of DIO-R rats was higher compared to DIO rats( P < 0.05) . The expression of UCP-1,PGC-1αand Dio-2 mRNA of interscapular BAT in DIO-R rats were higher than that of DIO rats( P < 0.05). The PGC-1α,Dio-2 mRNA levels of rats in high-fat diet group were lower compared to basic diet group,while UCP-1 mRNA levels were higher.( P < 0.05). The UCP-1 protein levels of BAT in DIO rats were lower than that of other two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion: High fat diets can induce SD rats to develop obesity and obesity-resistance. The BAT characteristic genes may play important role in resisting diet-induced obesity of rats. Objective: To explore the effects of acupuncture on expression of characteristic genes in interscapular brown adipose tissue, and elucidate mechanisms of acupuncture in slimming.Methods: Forty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: basic group (n=12) and high-fat group(n=28) , they were fed with basic diet and high-fat diet respectively. After 5 weeks, diet-induced obesity (DIO) rats were selected according to their body weight from the high-fat group, and then divided into 2 groups: obesity group(DIO,n=5), acupuncture group(EA,n=5) .5 rats were selected randomly from basic group as control group.3 groups were all given basic diet for 1 week, and then acupuncture with electric on"Housanli"(ST 36) and"Sanyinjiao"(SP 6) of the EA group rats, with left and right interchange, 30mins each time and 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The weight of rats, fat weight around the kidney , intake of diet and expression levels of BAT specific genes between 3 groups were compared.Results: After 6 weeks of acupuncture, the expression of UCP-1 and PGC-1αmRNA and protein in interscapular BAT of EA group rats were higher than those of obesity rats and control group(P < 0.05).The body weight, intake of diet of EA group rats were significantly lower compared to obesity group rats (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Acupuncture can increase expression of the BAT characteristic genes, reduce intake of diet and then resist obesity.