Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)on the activities of peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha/uncoupling protein-1(PGC-1α/UCP-1)signaling pathway in white adipose tissue(WAT)of diet-induced obesity(DIO)rats

so as to reveal its underlying mechanism in body weight loss.Methods Thirty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal diet(control

n=10)

high fat diet(model)

sham EA-acupoint and EA groups(n=8 in each of the latter 3 groups).The obesity model was established by feeding the rats with high fat diet containing lard oil

sugar

albumen powder

cholesterol

salt and sodium cholate for 12 weeks.EA(2 Hz/15 Hz

1 mA)was applied to bilateral"Zusanli"(ST 36)and "Tianshu"(ST 25)or sham acupoints(about 5 mm beside ST 36 and ST 25)for 30 min

once daily

5 times per week for a total of 8 weeks.During the treatment

all rats were fed with normal diet

and their body weight and length were measured once a week for calculating the Lee's index.The contents of serum total cholesterol(TC)and triglyceride(TG)were measured by using biochemical methods.The immunoactivity of PGC-1αand UCP-1 in the abdominal WAT was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results After modeling

the Lee's index

serum TC and TG contents were significantly increased

and the levels of serum HDL-C

and PGC-1αand UCP-1 immunoactivity in WAT considerably decreased in the model group relevant to the control group(P<0.05).Following the treatment

the Lee's index

TC and TG contents were significantly down-regulated while HDL-C and PGC-1αand UCP-1 immunoactivity were obviously up-regulated in the EA-acupoint group relevant to the model group(P<0.05).Conclusion EA can effectively reduce the body weight and adipose content in obesity rats

which may be closely related to its effect in up-regulating PGC-1α/UCP-1 signaling in WAT

suggesting an efficacy of EA in promoting the browning of WAT.