ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To establish the rat model of depression and observe its morphological changes and nerve growth factor (NGF) expression in nasal mucosal.@*METHOD@#Thirty SD rats were divided into depression model group and normal controls with 15 rats in each group. The rat depression model were made by application of chronic unforeseeable medium stress stimulating. Behavior change were observed with open box experiment(open field) and humoral consumption-experiments (sucrose consumption), After being sacrificed, the nasal mucosal were taken for HE and NGF immunohistochemical study. The difference of nasal mucosal NGF protein between two groups were examined with medical digital image analysis technology.@*RESULT@#There were no swelling and inflammatory cells infiltrating in nasal mucosal of normal group, but 53% nasal mucosal of depression model were observed such morphological changes. Th NGF immunohistochemical staining were negative in normal group but positive in 53% depression model group. There were significant differences between two groups (P < 0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Depression rats may appear rhinitis symptoms under long-term stress stimulating. NGF may exert immunoregulatory effects, stimulate the immune cell proliferation and gathering, induce various media release, increase the sensitivity of nerve fibers itself and the producing of neuropeptide, promote the formation of nerve source inflammation and increase the reactivity of nasal mucosa.