To synthesize recent advances in understanding the mechanistic underpinnings and therapeutic potential of electroacupuncture (EA) in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), highlighting its significance as a potential adjunctive therapy.
Key Findings:
EA improves hepatic steatosis and metabolic parameters with minimal side effects.
EA modulates key molecular pathways including AMPK, SIRT1, PI3K/Akt, and NF-κB.
No approved pharmacological therapies exist for NAFLD, highlighting EA's potential as an adjunctive treatment.
Interpretation:
EA represents a promising strategy for NAFLD treatment, warranting further translational research to validate its efficacy and mechanisms, especially given the lack of approved pharmacological therapies.
Limitations:
Lack of long-term safety data for EA.
Inconsistent therapeutic outcomes for many pharmacological agents currently under investigation, with potential biases in the studies reviewed.
Conclusion:
Electroacupuncture may provide a novel therapeutic avenue for managing NAFLD, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive studies and its importance in the broader context of NAFLD management.
