Effects of Mind-Regulation Acupuncture Therapy on Serum Ghrelin, Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide, Leptin, and Insulin Levels in Breast Cancer Survivors with Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Aim The aim of this research is to analyze the effects of mind-regulation acupuncture on serum ghrelin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide, leptin, and insulin levels, fatigue, quality of sleep, depression, and quality of life in survivors of breast cancer with cancer-related fatigue. Methods Total 136 breast cancer survivors with cancer-related fatigue were randomly allocated to the mind-regulation acupuncture group and the control group in a 1:1 ratio, with 68 cases in each group. Finally, 57 cases each in both groups completed the study. The serum ghrelin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide, leptin, and insulin levels were measured in pre-treatment and post-treatment. The 20-item Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Hamilton Depression Scale, and Karnofsky Performance Status were used to evaluate patients’ fatigue, quality of sleep, symptoms of depression, and quality of life, respectively. Results In post-treatment, the serum ghrelin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide, leptin, and insulin levels significantly reduced, 20-item Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Hamilton Depression scores were remarkably decreased, whereas the Karnofsky Performance Status scores were significantly increased in mind-regulation acupuncture group and control group comparing to those pre-treatment, while those in mind-regulation acupuncture group changed more significantly. The 20-item Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Hamilton Depression scores were remarkably lower, and remarkably higher Karnofsky Performance Status scores in the mind-regulation acupuncture group were seen than those in the control group. Conclusion Mind-regulation acupuncture could reduce serum ghrelin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide, leptin, and insulin levels of breast cancer survivors with cancer-related fatigue. In addition, it alleviates cancer-related fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression in these survivors and improves their quality of life. Therefore, mind-regulation acupuncture may have potential as an alternative and complementary therapy for breast cancer survivors with cancer-related fatigue.

Bibliometric and visualization analyses of cancer-related fatigue research published worldwide from 2001 to 2023

“…A minimum of six acupuncture sessions (e.g., weekly for 6 weeks, three times per week for 3 weeks), each lasting at least 20 minutes, has significant effects on CRF ( 43 ). Two studies ( 44 , 45 ) demonstrated that acupuncture can inhibit neuroinflammation and gut inflammation by regulating the gut microbiota-gut-brain axis, decrease serum ghrelin, leptin, and insulin levels, and improve the dysfunction of the HPA axis to improve CRF. However, as further studies are still needed to verify the effects of acupuncture on CRF, the European Society for Medical Oncology panel has not yet reached a consensus on the recommendation of acupuncture for reducing CRF.…”

Mechanism and application of acupuncture and electro‐acupuncture associated with cancer therapy

“…The mechanism by which AC treatment reduces fatigue may be closely related to the gut microbiota‐gut‐brain axis 65 . AC can reduce levels of gastric inhibitory peptide, leptin, and insulin in patients with breast cancer fatigue 66 . Previous studies have shown that AC can also alleviate insomnia through various mechanisms, including decreasing sympathetic activity, 131 inhibiting the activation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis, 132 increasing γ‐aminobutyric acid levels and receptors, 133 and increasing melatonin production and secretion 134 .…”