METHODS: Thirty-six 8-week-old ob/ob mice were randomly allocated to three groups, respectively, receiving catgut embedding, PGA thread embedding or sham treatment bilaterally to the groin. Individual parameters including weight, food intake, and core temperature are recorded and metabolism assessment, energy expenditure analysis, and PET/CT scanning are also performed at fixed timepoints. After surgical incision, the inguinal white adipose tissue was histologically examined and its expression profile was tested and compared among groups 4 weeks and 12 weeks after operation.
RESULTS: Catgut embedding reduced weight gain and improved metabolic status in ob/ob mice. Browning of bilateral inguinal WAT (white adipose tissue) was induced after catgut embedding, with massive infiltration of Treg cells and M2 macrophages in the tissue slices of fat pads. IL-10 and TGF-β released by Treg cells targeted macrophages and the induced M2 macrophages increased the expression of thermogenic and anti-inflammatory genes in fat. The secretion of catecholamines by polarized M2 macrophages led to the activation of β3-AR-related pathways in adipocytes and the browning of adipose tissue.
CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal subcutaneous catgut embedding has the potential to combat obesity through the induction of WAT browning mediated by infiltrated Treg cells and macrophages.
方法:将36只8周龄ob/ob小鼠随机分为三组,分别,接受埋线,腹股沟两侧的PGA线嵌入或假治疗。个别参数,包括重量,食物摄入量,和核心温度被记录和代谢评估,能量消耗分析,和PET/CT扫描也在固定时间点进行。手术切口后,对腹股沟白色脂肪组织进行组织学检查,并在术后4周和12周检测并比较其表达谱。
结果:埋线降低了ob/ob小鼠的体重增加并改善了代谢状态。埋线后诱导双侧腹股沟WAT(白色脂肪组织)褐变,在脂肪垫的组织切片中有大量的Treg细胞和M2巨噬细胞浸润。Treg细胞释放的IL-10和TGF-β靶向巨噬细胞,诱导的M2巨噬细胞增加了脂肪中生热和抗炎基因的表达。极化的M2巨噬细胞分泌儿茶酚胺导致脂肪细胞中β3-AR相关途径的激活和脂肪组织的褐变。
结论:腹部皮下埋线有可能通过浸润的Treg细胞和巨噬细胞介导的WAT褐变诱导来对抗肥胖。