Electroacupuncture improves lipid metabolism via proteome and gut microbiota profiling in obese rats

Objectives: Electroacupuncture (EA) is widely utilized for obesity treatment, but the mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study explored electroacupuncture effects on gut microbiota and adipose tissue proteomics in obese rats. Methods: Twenty-two Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into the control (n=6) and model (n=16) groups. After establishing an obesity model, the rats were further categorized into the high-fat diet (n=6) and EA groups (n=6). The EA group underwent EA at "Quchi" (LI 11) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) acupoints for 21 days. Body weight was measured on alternate days, and hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to assess pathological changes in the adipose tissue and liver. Serum lipid levels were measured using a biochemical analyzer. Amplicon sequencingfor bacterial 16S rRNA gene and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry determined the gut microbiota structure and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content in the fecal sample, respectively. Tandem mass tag quantitative proteomics was used to analyze differentially expressed adipose tissue proteins. Results: EA significantly reduced body weight, improved adipose tissue pathology, and decreased total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. EA significantly modulated key gut microbiota involved in lipid metabolism and increased SCFA content, particularly acetic and propionic acids. The proteomic analysis revealed EA-mediated protein regulation, including Hmgcs1 (3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-CoA Synthase 1) and Fabp3 (Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 3), associated with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway regulation. Conclusion: EA improved dysregulated gut microbiota and SCFAs, modulated PPAR signaling, and improved lipid metabolism; thus, it has a potential role in obesity treatment.