Abstract:

Acupuncture applications and diet are frequently used in obesity treatment. We aimed to investigate the changes in serum leptin and nesfatin-1 levels measured before and after acupuncture and diet in overweight/obese individuals in the presented study. This interventional study was carried out on 90 overweight/obese patients. Participants were divided into three groups: Group 1 (Acupuncture), Group 2 (Diet), and Group 3 (Those who did not take any attempts to lose weight- control group). Serum leptin and nesfatin-1 levels were measured before and after the intervention. The 30th days leptin values were significantly decreased in the acupuncture group (p=0.040) while they were significantly increased in the control group (p=0.039). It was detected that the nesfatin-1 values were significantly increased in both acupuncture (p=0.032) and diet groups (p=0.017). Also, body weights significantly decreased both in acupuncture (p=0.032) and diet groups (p<0.001). Our results support the effects of acupuncture treatment on appetite hormones. Further research on the mechanisms of endogenous and exogenous actions of the recently discovered hormones, leptin and nesfatin-1, are needed.

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