The effects of electro-acupuncture on behavior and the level of BDNF in the hippocampus of rats with chronic stress depression / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effects of electro-acupuncture on behavior and the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in the hippocampus of rats with chronic stress depression. Methods Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into four groupsa normal control group, a model control group, an electro-acupuncture group and a fluoxetine hydrochloride control group. All rats except the control groups were singly test and by the volume of sugar solution drunk in 24 hours. The levels of BDNF in the CA1 and CA3 pyramidal and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus were investigated immunohistochemically. Results Compared with the normal control group, the model rats'crossing squares, rearing, and grooming in the open field test and the volume of sugarsolution drunk were all less, while their time in the central square was clearly greater. Fluoxetine or electro-acupuncture could significantly improve behavior. Compared with the model group, BDNF immunoreactivity in the hippocampal neurons of the electro-acupuncture group was increased significantly and the average gray value of neurons decreased.Conclusions Electro-acupuncture can improve behavior and the level of BDNF in the hippocampal neurons of depressed rats. It has a significant antidepressant effect.