ABSTRACT
Objective: Affective disorder patients can be effectively treated by electro-acupuncture methods without many side effects, but the mechanism of the treatment is not known. The object of this study was to discover whether there is change of guanine-nucleotide-binding protein (G-protein) level in platelets membrane from major depression patients before and after treatment by fluoxetine and electro-acupuncture. Methods:We utilized selective antibodies to quantitate the levels of the G-protein ? subunits in platelets membrane of 78 major depression patients (24 received fluoxetine treatment, 24 received electo-acupuncture treatment and 30 received placebo treatment) and 30 matched comparison subjects.Result:Levels of both G?i and G?q of the patient groups were higher than matched normal comparison subjects before treatment of fluoxetine and electro-acupuncture,the level of G?i and G?q did not change after the treatment of fluoxetine, electro-acupuncture and placebo. The level of G?s wasn't significantly different with matched comparison subjects.Conclusion:The levels of G?i、G?q in platelets membrane from major depression patients are higher than normal, the high levels of G?i and G?q in platelets membrane may be a trait abnormality for major depression patients, not a state abnormality for major depression.