Title: Catgut-acupuncture embedding therapy as promising treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of catgut-acupuncture embedding therapy on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: Twenty-three participants over a 6-month treatment period were subjected to catgut-acupuncture embedding therapy for 3 sessions. The second session was performed one month after the first session and the third session two months after the second session. Three months after the third session of catgut-embedding therapy patients were subjected to fibro scan analysis. In each session 20 points were selected. Selected points for treatment in all patients were fixed at each session but different at various sessions. Results: 23 participants, 5 showed significant improvement and 8 showed a moderate improvement as 1 or 2 degree reduction in terms of steatosis stage. The treatment group showed significant improvements in terms of patient score, fat percentage, NAFLD steatosis stage, weight loss and abdominal size reduction after catgut-acupuncture embedding therapy (P<0.05). Conclusion: The acupuncture embedding therapy method can significantly improve important factors in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.