Electroacupuncture Raises Energy Levels In Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Model!

PGC-1 is a transcription coactivator that is responsible for a number of regulatory functions of cellular metabolism. It stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis and promotes muscle fiber type that is metabolically more oxidative than glycolytic which is about 15 times more efficient. It is present in high amounts where mitochondria is present like brown fat, the heart and muscle. Increased transcription of PGC-1 induces Nrf1 and Nrf2 to increase expression of mitochondrial transcription factors and other mitochondria subunits along the transport like ATP-synthase. (1)

While the cause of chronic fatigue is not known, many experts believe that symptoms of fatigue may be due to mitochondrial dysfunction where the muscles produce less energy. One study in Great Britain demonstrated that 70% of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients   have ultra structurally abnormal mitochondria.  (2)In a more recent study published just last month, researchers analyzed the benefits of electroacupuncture (EA) ST-36 on the metabolism of CFS-model in rats. They divided the mice into 4 groups; the control group, the CFS-model mice, an EA-"Zusanli" and a non-""Zusanli group. Measurements for ATP-synthase, PGC-1, AMPK and SIRT1 were taken. After forced exercise, the levels of ATP-synthase and PGC-1 were greatly reduced while levels of SIRT1 were elevated. After an application of  electroacupuncture, "the grabbing force and the expression levels of ATP synthase mRNA, SIRT 1 and PGC-1 α proteins and mRNAs, and p-AMPK/AMPK were significantly up-regulated. The results seem to show that the grabbing force of the rats after EA was due to the increased levels of ATP-synthase,  AMPK, PGC-1 and SIRT1 to reduce mitochondrial oxidative stress and to increase energy ATP. (3)

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1. PGC-1alpha: a key regulator of energy metabolism. Advances in physiology education, Vol. 30, No. 4. (1 December 2006), pp. 145-151, doi:10.1152/advan.00052.2006 by Huiyun Liang, Walter F. Ward

2. Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Kent Holtorf, M.D. Holtorf Medical Group.  https://www.holtorfmed.com/mitochondrial-dysfunction-and-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/

3. [Electroacupuncture of "Zusanli" (ST 36) Raises Muscular Force by Adjusting AMPK/PGC-1 α Signaling in Rats with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome]. Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research, Vol. 43, No. 6. (25 June 2018), pp. 335-340 by Jia-Zi Z. Dong, Yun-Tao T. Wei, Huan-Yu Y. Xu, et al.