Acupuncture improves the emotion domain and lipid profiles in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial

Hui Chang; Baichao Shi; Hang Ge; Chengdong Liu; Lirong Wang; Chengcheng Ma; Lifeng Liu; Wanyu Zhang; Duojia Zhang; Yong Wang; Chi Chiu Wang; Xiaoke Wu

doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1237260

Acupuncture improves the emotion domain and lipid profiles in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Aug 29:14:1237260. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1237260. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Hui Chang^{1

2}, Baichao Shi¹, Hang Ge¹, Chengdong Liu³, Lirong Wang¹, Chengcheng Ma¹, Lifeng Liu¹, Wanyu Zhang¹, Duojia Zhang², Yong Wang⁴, Chi Chiu Wang⁵, Xiaoke Wu^{2

6}

Affiliations

¹ Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China.
² First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China.
³ Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.
⁴ Nanjing Universityg, Nanjin, China.
⁵ The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
⁶ Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital, Harbin, China.

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on the emotion domain and metabolic parameters of Chinese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) by secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial, conducted from 6 July 2012 to 7 October 2015.

Method: In this study, we investigated the effects of acupuncture (458 patients) and sham acupuncture (468 patients) on metabolic parameters, serum ions, and all quality-of-life scale scores related to PCOS. The quality of life of patients was evaluated using five relevant scales, operated by the research assistant, namely, PCOSQ, SF-36, and ChiQOL, as well as Zung-SAS and Zung-SDS. Metabolic parameters and serum ions were measured.

Results: A reduction in acne score, AN, Hcy, and LDL-C, and an increase in the level of lipoprotein α, Apo A1, and Apo A1/Apo B were observed in the acupuncture group after 4 months' intervention after adjusting clomiphene and reproductive outcome (p< 0.05). An increase in SF-36 total scores, RP and RE scores, ChiQOL total scores, and emotion domain scores was observed in the acupuncture group after 4 months' intervention, while PF and HT scores were decreased (adjusted p< 0.05). Those same changes were observed in sham acupuncture. Meanwhile, the serum levels of Ca, K, and Cl were elevated in the acupuncture group after the interventions (adjusted p< 0.005). There were no significant differences in HOMA-IR, MetS, FPG, FINS, HDL-C, TG, Apo B, and level of serum P, Mg, and Na. Also, no changes in BP, GH, VT, SF, physical form domain, and spirit domain were observed after treatment.

Conclusion: Acupuncture can improve not only the emotional changes in SF-36 scores and ChiQOL scores, but also lipid metabolism, implying that it may have a correlation between emotional change and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, acupuncture can also regulate the changes of serum Ca, K, and Cl.

Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT01573858.

Keywords: acupuncture; emotion; ions; metabolism; polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Acupuncture Therapy*
Apolipoprotein A-I
Apolipoproteins B
Emotions
Female
Humans
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* / therapy
Quality of Life

Substances

Apolipoprotein A-I
Apolipoproteins B

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01573858

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82004404), the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant Nos. 2021T140188 and 2018M641886), the Academic Experience Inheritance Project of Famous TCM Experts, and the second batch of TCM clinical outstanding talents training program in Heilongjiang Province.