Data from: Electroacupuncture mimics exercise-induced changes in skeletal muscle gene expression in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

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 <
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 < 0.20), and these changes
correlated with altered expression of 101 genes (p < 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.