Effect of Acupuncture on Behaviors and Hippocampal Neurotransmitters in Rats with Post-strike Depression / 上海针灸杂志

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.