DOI: 10.5061/dryad.70rxwdbtd
title: Data from: Electroacupuncture mimics exercise-induced changes in skeletal muscle gene expression in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

description: Context: Autonomic nervous system activation mediates the increase in
 whole-body glucose uptake in response to electroacupuncture but the
 mechanisms are largely unknown. Objective: To identify the molecular
 mechanisms underlying electroacupuncture-induced glucose uptake in
 skeletal muscle in insulin-resistant overweight/obese women with and
 without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Design/Participants: In a
 case-control study, skeletal muscle biopsies were collected from 15 women
 with PCOS and 14 controls before and after electroacupuncture. Gene
 expression and methylation was analyzed using Illumina BeadChips arrays.
 Results: A single bout of electroacupuncture restores metabolic and
 transcriptional alterations and induces epigenetic changes in skeletal
 muscle. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 180 unique genes (q &lt;
 0.05) whose expression was changed by electroacupuncture, with 95% of the
 changes towards a healthier phenotype. We identified DNA methylation
 changes at 304 unique sites (q &lt; 0.20), and these changes
 correlated with altered expression of 101 genes (p &lt; 0.05). Among
 the 50 most upregulated genes in response to electroacupuncture, 38% were
 also upregulated in response to exercise. We identified a subset of genes
 that were selectively altered by electroacupuncture in women with PCOS.
 For example, MSX1 and SRNX1 were decreased in muscle tissue of women with
 PCOS and were increased by electroacupuncture and exercise. siRNA-mediated
 silencing of these two genes in cultured myotubes decreased glycogen
 synthesis, supporting a role for these genes in glucose homeostasis.
 Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence that electroacupuncture
 normalizes gene expression in skeletal muscle in a manner similar to acute
 exercise. Electroacupuncture might therefore be a useful way of assisting
 those who have difficulties performing exercise.
description: The cohort consisted of 21
 overweight or obese women (BMI = 25–35 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) with
 PCOS and 21 age, weight, and BMI-matched controls. Of these, we
 successfully collected skeletal muscle biopsies from 15 women with PCOS
 and from 14 controls. Therefore, baseline data are only given for those
 included in the gene expression and DNA methylation analyses. Inclusion
 criteria for the controls were 18–38 yr old, BMI .25 to ,35, regular
 menstrual cycles of 28 +/- 2 d, and normal ovarian morphology. Controls
 were excluded if they showed signs of hyperandrogenism (Ferriman- Gallwey
 score &gt;4). Women with PCOS were diagnosed according to the
 Rotterdam criteria fulfilling 2 of 3 criteria: ultrasound-verified
 polycystic ovaries (&gt;12 follicles of 2–9mmand/or ovarian volume
 &gt;10 ml in 1 or both ovaries), oligomenorrhea (&gt;35 d between,
 or ,&lt;6 menstruations in the past year), amenorrhea (absence of
 menstrual bleedings in the past 90 d), or clinical signs of
 hyperandrogenism (acneor hirsutism, Ferriman-Gallwey score &gt;8). The
 study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki at
 Sahlgrenska University Hospital and the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of
 Gothenburg, Sweden, and was approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board
 of the University of Gothenburg. All participants gave oral and written
 informed consent before inclusion. The study was registered at
 ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01457209) and is reported according to the CONSORT
 and STRICTA guidelines.
description: Supplemental figures and tables for the article
 "Electroacupuncture mimics exercise-induced changes in skeletal
 muscle gene expression in women with polycystic ovary syndrome"
 (<em>Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &
 Metabolism</em>)