<div style="text-align:justify">Background: We aimed to elucidate the mechanism of change in mitochondrial fusion- and fission-related mediators for maintaining cell function through the effects of acupuncture treatment and apply findings to a liver disease model. We focused on the optic atrophy-1 (OPA1) and fission protein 1 (Fis1) genes of rat liver cells.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were divided into a control group (no treatment) and LR2, LR3, LR4 and LR8 groups (acupuncture treatment to those points). Acupuncture was performed on each point for 10 minutes once daily for 4 days. Changes in the mRNA expression of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1-&alpha; (PGC-1&alpha;) and Fis1 were observed via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR); changes in OPA1, mitofusin-2 (MFN2), mitofusin-1 (MFN1), dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) proteins were observed through western blotting and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expressions were observed through immunohistochemistry. 
 
Result: OPA1 decreased in the LR3 and LR8 groups and Fis1 increased in the LR2 and LR4 groups. AMPK and PGC-1&alpha; decreased significantly in all acupuncture groups. eNOS and nNOS expression reduced in all acupuncture groups. Therefore, acupuncture can regulate mitochondrial fusion/fission by influencing the following mediators: AMPK, PGC-1&alpha;, OPA1, Fis1, eNOS and nNOS.</div>

Influence of Acupuncture on Expression of Mitochondrial Fusion and Fission Mediators in Rat Liver

Background: We studied the effects of manual acupuncture (MA) and warm acupuncture (WA) on early-stage nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in relation to fat accumulation by observing the mRNA expression of nuclear factor-&kappa;B (NF-&kappa;B) p65 and tumor necrosis factor-&alpha; (TNF-&alpha;) in a rat model with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by high-fat diet. 
 
Methods: The experiment was performed using Sprague Dawley rats randomly divided into control (CON), NAFLD, NAFLD + MA and NAFLD + WA groups. Acupuncture was performed on the SP9 + BL18 acupoint from each group for 5 min, twice a week for 8 weeks. Total cholesterol (TC) was measured in the serum and triglyceride (TG) and resistin were measured in the hepatic tissue. In addition, hematoxylin and eosin stain, Masson&rsquo;s trichrome stain, Oil red O stain and perilipin immunohistochemistry were used for histological analysis. Finally, quantitative polymerase chain reactions were performed to observe the changes in TLR4, NF-&kappa;B p65 and TNF-&alpha;. 
 
Result: Resitin and TLR4 decreased in the NAFLD + WA group. The NAFLD + MA group exhibited reduced levels of TC and TG, which mitigated NF-&kappa;B p65 and TNF-&alpha; mRNA downregulation through downregulation of the TLR4.

Effects of Acupuncture on the mRNA Expression of NF-&kappa;B p65/TNF-&alpha; Activated by Fat Accumulation in High-fat Diet-induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Rats

Since ancient times, phase therapy or naturopathy is proving effective in all kinds of diseases. We should make maximum use of natural methods so that the cost of medical treatment in the world can be reduced and treatment can be easily accessible to the poor. The philosophy and methods of naturopathy are based on animism and folk medicine rather than evidence-based medicine. Under naturopathy, there are many methods in the society such as water therapy, homeopathy, sun therapy, acupuncture, acupressure, soil therapy etc. Including different dimensions of phage therapy in the proposed paper, where on one hand the body&rsquo;s resistance to antibiotics is decreasing, on the other hand, the effect of these drugs on the biological nature of micro-organisms is decreasing. Under naturopathy, the basis of treatment and recovery of diseases is - the body&rsquo;s natural power to fight germs. Today the most challenging task is to make cheap and effective treatment accessible to the common man and on the other hand, by freeing livestock from diseases, to include animal products more and more in the daily diet.

Influence of Acupuncture on Expression of Mitochondrial Fusion and Fission Mediators in Rat Liver

Effects of Acupuncture on the mRNA Expression of NF-κB p65/TNF-α Activated by Fat Accumulation in High-fat Diet-induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Rats

Naturopathy: The Body’s Natural Power to Fight Pathogens