Researchers tested whether a traditional acupuncture technique called electroacupuncture could help mice with high cholesterol and unhealthy fat levels in their blood. They found that mice receiving electroacupuncture treatment at a specific acupuncture point called Zusanli for 16 weeks had lower cholesterol, triglycerides, and body weight compared to mice on a high-fat diet alone. The treatment also reduced fat buildup in the liver and changed the balance of bacteria in the gut toward healthier types. These results suggest that this ancient practice might work by improving the gut bacteria that help process fats and cholesterol.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether electroacupuncture (a type of acupuncture using electrical stimulation) at a specific point on the leg could help mice with high cholesterol and unhealthy blood fats caused by eating a high-fat diet.
  • Who participated: 30 laboratory mice divided into three equal groups: mice eating normal food, mice eating high-fat food, and mice eating high-fat food plus receiving electroacupuncture treatment for 16 weeks.
  • Key finding: Mice receiving electroacupuncture had significantly lower cholesterol levels, lower triglycerides (another type of blood fat), lower body weight, and less fat stored in their livers compared to mice on the high-fat diet alone.
  • What it means for you: This research suggests electroacupuncture might help manage high cholesterol by improving gut bacteria balance, but this is early-stage animal research. More studies in humans are needed before this could become a recommended treatment. Talk to your doctor before considering acupuncture as part of cholesterol management.

The Research Details

Scientists used 30 laboratory mice and divided them into three groups. One group ate normal food (the control group), one group ate high-fat food to develop high cholesterol, and one group ate high-fat food but also received electroacupuncture treatment at a specific acupuncture point called Zusanli (located on the leg) for 16 weeks. The researchers measured blood cholesterol levels, body weight, and liver fat content. They also examined the bacteria living in the mice’s intestines and looked at inflammation markers in the colon tissue.

Electro-acupuncture is like traditional acupuncture but with a small electrical current added to the needles. The Zusanli point is a location used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. The researchers chose this point because it’s traditionally believed to help with digestion and overall health.

The study measured several important markers: total cholesterol, triglycerides (a type of blood fat), LDL cholesterol (the ‘bad’ kind), and MDA (a marker of cellular damage from oxidative stress). They also used special staining techniques to see fat buildup in liver tissue and genetic testing to identify which bacteria were present in the gut.

This research approach is important because it tries to explain how an ancient practice might work using modern science. By measuring gut bacteria changes alongside cholesterol improvements, the researchers could identify a possible mechanism—that electroacupuncture might work by changing which bacteria live in the digestive system. This type of investigation helps bridge traditional medicine with scientific understanding.

This is an animal study, which means results may not directly apply to humans. The sample size is small (30 mice total, 10 per group), which limits how confident we can be in the findings. The study was well-designed with proper control groups and multiple measurements, which strengthens the results. However, animal studies are typically considered preliminary evidence that needs human testing before clinical recommendations can be made.

What the Results Show

After 16 weeks of electroacupuncture treatment, mice in the treatment group showed significant improvements compared to mice eating high-fat food without treatment. Their total cholesterol levels dropped, triglyceride levels (another harmful blood fat) decreased, and LDL cholesterol (the ‘bad’ cholesterol) went down. The mice also weighed less and had much less fat stored in their livers.

The researchers also found that electroacupuncture reduced markers of cellular damage and inflammation in the colon tissue. Specifically, they measured three inflammation-related proteins (NLRP3, TLR4, and IL-1β) and found these were significantly lower in the treatment group, suggesting less inflammation in the gut.

Perhaps most importantly, genetic testing of gut bacteria showed that electroacupuncture changed the bacterial community in the intestines. The treatment increased beneficial bacteria types, particularly Muribaculaceae and Lachnospiraceae NK4A136_group, which are known to help break down complex carbohydrates and support healthy cholesterol metabolism.

These results suggest that electroacupuncture might improve cholesterol levels by promoting a healthier balance of gut bacteria, which then helps the body process fats more effectively and reduces inflammation in the digestive system.

The study found that electroacupuncture also improved HDL cholesterol (the ‘good’ kind that protects heart health), though the results were less dramatic than the improvements in harmful cholesterol types. The treatment reduced MDA levels, which is important because MDA indicates oxidative stress—a type of cellular damage linked to aging and disease. Lower MDA suggests the treatment may protect cells from damage. The researchers also observed that the intestinal barrier (the lining that controls what gets absorbed) appeared healthier in treated mice, which could explain why harmful substances and inflammatory signals were reduced.

This research builds on growing scientific interest in how gut bacteria affect cholesterol and heart health. Previous studies have shown that the composition of gut bacteria influences how the body processes cholesterol and fats. This study is novel because it specifically examines electroacupuncture as a way to modify gut bacteria. While acupuncture has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine, scientific investigation of its mechanisms is relatively recent. This study adds to a small but growing body of research suggesting that acupuncture may influence the gut-brain-immune system connection.

This study has several important limitations. First, it was conducted in mice, not humans, so results may not directly apply to people. Mice have different digestive systems and metabolisms than humans. Second, the sample size was small (only 10 mice per group), which limits confidence in the findings. Third, the study doesn’t explain exactly how the electrical stimulation changes gut bacteria—it only shows that it does. Fourth, the study didn’t measure how long benefits might last after treatment stops. Finally, this was a controlled laboratory setting; real-world results in humans might differ due to individual variations, diet, lifestyle, and other factors.

The Bottom Line

Based on this animal research, electroacupuncture at the Zusanli point shows promise for potentially helping with high cholesterol, but confidence is low because this is early-stage research in mice. This should not be considered a proven treatment yet. If you have high cholesterol, continue following your doctor’s recommendations, which typically include diet changes, exercise, and possibly medication. You might discuss acupuncture as a complementary approach (alongside, not instead of, conventional treatment), but understand that human studies are needed to confirm safety and effectiveness.

This research is most relevant to people interested in traditional medicine approaches to health, researchers studying acupuncture mechanisms, and people with high cholesterol looking for complementary treatments. However, people with high cholesterol should not rely on acupuncture alone without medical supervision. This research is NOT yet applicable as a primary treatment recommendation for anyone. People considering acupuncture should consult their doctor first, especially if they take blood-thinning medications or have certain medical conditions.

In this mouse study, benefits appeared after 16 weeks of regular treatment. If similar effects occurred in humans, you might expect to wait several months to see meaningful changes. However, this timeline is speculative since human studies haven’t been done. Real-world results in people could take longer, shorter, or might not occur at all.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If someone wanted to explore this approach with medical supervision, they could track weekly body weight, monthly cholesterol levels (through blood tests ordered by their doctor), and daily notes on diet and acupuncture sessions to identify patterns.
  • Users interested in this research could use an app to schedule regular acupuncture appointments, track adherence to treatment sessions, log dietary changes (especially reducing high-fat foods), and monitor exercise habits—all factors that influence cholesterol levels.
  • A long-term tracking approach would involve recording cholesterol test results every 3 months, maintaining a log of acupuncture treatments received, tracking dietary choices, and noting any changes in energy levels or digestive health. This data could help identify whether acupuncture combined with lifestyle changes is having any personal effect.

This research was conducted in mice and has not been tested in humans. Electroacupuncture should not be used as a replacement for proven medical treatments for high cholesterol, such as lifestyle changes, diet modifications, or prescribed medications. If you have high cholesterol or are considering acupuncture treatment, consult with your healthcare provider first. Some people should not receive acupuncture, including those taking blood-thinning medications or with certain medical conditions. This summary is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.