ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of depression-relieving and mind-tranquilizing acupuncture on behaviors and hippocampal neurotransmitters in rats with post-strike depression.Method Rats were randomized to normal, model, medication and acupuncture groups, 20 ratseach. A rat model of post-strike depression was made by middle cerebral artery occlusion and chronic unpredictable mild stress. The medication received an oral gavage of fluoxetine 2 mg/kg and the acupuncture group, acupuncture at points Baihui(GV20), Fengfu(GV6), Shenmen(HT7) and Taichong(LR3), 20 min retention of needles with one manipulation meanwhile, once daily, 7 days as one course of treatment, for a total of three courses with one day of rest between. Rat behaviors were observed and hippocampal neurotransmitters 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), nonepinephrine (NE), acetylcholine (Ach),γ-aminobutyric acid (γ-GABA) and glutamic acid (Glu) were measured.Result The Zea Longa score was lower in the acupuncture group than in the model and medication groups at 15 and 22 days after intervention (P<0.01,P<0.05). Sugar water consumption increased in the acupuncture group compared with the model and medication groups at 7, 15 and 22 days after intervention (P<0.01). Sugar water consumption, open-box horizontal movement and vertical movement increasedin the medication and acupuncture groups at 7, 15 and 22 days after intervention compare with before intervention (P<0.01,P<0.05). Hippocampal 5-HT, NE, Ach,γ-GABA and Glu contents were significantly lower in the model group of rats than in the normal group (P<0.01) and were significantly higher in the acupuncture group of rats than in the model group (P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion Depression-relieving and mind-tranquilizing acupuncture can markedly improve behaviors in rats with post-strike depression. Its mechanism may be related to regulating rat neurotransmitters 5-HT, NE, Ach,γ-GABA and Glu expressions.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the efficacy of acupuncture at mind-tranquilizing points plus conventional shoulder points in treating scapulohumeral periarthritis (periarthritis of shoulder) at the early stage of adhesion. Method Sixty patients were randomly allocated to two groups. The treatment group received acupuncture at mind-tranquilizing points plus conventional shoulder points and the control group, at conventional points. In both groups, treatment was given three times a week, for two weeks. The Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) score, the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) score, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score were recorded before and after treatment. Result The VAS score,the HAMA score, the HAMD score and the JOA score improved in both groups after treatment compared with before (P0.05). Conclusion Mind-tranquilizing acupuncture plus conventional acupuncture is more effective than conventional acupuncture in treating scapulohumeral periarthritis at the early stage of adhesion.