Objective To explore the mechanism underlying the regulation of peripheral fat metabolism via acupoint catgut embedding at different layers in rat models of simple obesity.Methods Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group (group A, n = 10) fed with standard diet and model group (n = 50) fed with high-fat diet. After successful modeling, the rats in the model group were further divided into group B (untreated), group C (acupoint catgut embedding at fat layer), group D (acupoint catgut embedding at muscle layer), group E (acupoint catgut embedding at fat layer+ AG490 treatment), and group F (acupoint catgut embedding at muscle layer+ AG490 treatment), each with 10 rats. After acupoint catgut embedding at different layers, the mRNA and protein expressions of JAK2, STAT3, SOCS3, and LEP-R were compared among the groups.Results The mRNA and protein expressions of JAK2 and STAT3 in adipose tissues of group B, E, and F were lower than those in group A (P < 0.05), while they were higher in the group C and D than in the group B (P < 0.05). There was no difference in mRNA and protein expressions of JAK2 and STAT3 in adipose tissues among the group E, F and B (P > 0.05). The mRNA and protein expressions of JAK2 and STAT3 were lower in group B, E and F than in group C (P < 0.05), whereas they were lower in the group E and F relative to those in the group D (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of SOCS3 in adipose tissues of group B, C, D, E and F was higher than that of group A (P < 0.05), and the protein expression of SOCS3 in group B, E and F was higher than that in group A (P < 0.05). Compared with group B, the mRNA and protein expressions of SOCS3 were higher in group C and D (P < 0.05). There was no difference in the mRNA and protein expressions of SOCS3 among the group B, E and F (P > 0.05). The mRNA and protein expressions of SOCS3 in group D, E and F were higher than those in group C (P < 0.05), and they were higher in the group E and F relative to those in group D (P < 0.05). Compared with group A, the mRNA expression of LEP-R in adipose tissues of group B, E and F was lower (P < 0.05), while that of group C and D was higher (P < 0.05). Besides, the protein expression of LEP-R in adipose tissues of group B, D, E and F was lower than that of group A (P < 0.05). The mRNA and protein expressions of LEP-R in the group C and D were higher than those in the group B (P < 0.05), while they were lower in the group D, E and F relative to those in the group C (P < 0.05). In addition, the mRNA and protein expressions of LEP-R in the group E and F were lower than those in the group D (P < 0.05).Conclusions Acupoint catgut embedding at the fat layer and muscle layer may directly involve leptin in regulating the peripheral fat metabolism through JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.