Influence of Acupuncture on HPA Axis in a Rat Model of Chronic Stress-induced Depression / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

ABSTRACT

To investigate the neurobiological mechanism of depression pathogenesis and reveal the mechanism of acupuncture treatment of depression. Methods: Wistar rats were selected for subjects. A rat model of depression was made by individually housing with unpredicted chronic moderate stimuli. Changes in behavior and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical axis were examined in rat models of stress-induced depression. Meanwhile, the intervening effect of acupuncture was evaluated and the curative effects of different acupuncture methods compared. Results: CORT and ACTH contents of serum were significantly higher in the model and normal saline groups than in the control group (P＜0.05), significantly lower in the hand acupuncture and electroacupuncture groups than in the model group (P＜0.05) and significantly lower in the medication group than in the normal saline group (P＜0.05). There were no significant differences between the hand acupuncture, electroacupuncture and medication groups. Conclusion: Acupuncture of Baihui(GV 20) and Taichong (LR 3) has a marked antidepressant effect. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of HPA axis by acupuncture.