Electroacupuncture at Du channel and meridian of foot-Taiyang for hippocampal neurons in rats with depression

BackgroundLong-term anti-depression treatment can promote the regeneration of hippocampal regeneration. Up-regulation of hippocampal regeneration can reverse or prevent against the injury of stress to cerebrum, especially to hippocampal structure and function. Therefore, promoting hippocampal neuronal regeneration may be a new strategy for treating depression and anxiety.ObjectiveTo observe the effect of electro-acupuncture at Du channel and meridian of foot-Taiyang on hippocampal neurons from model rats of depression.DesignA randomized controlled animal experiment.SettingDepartment of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shenzhen Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.MaterialsTwenty-four Wistar rats, of either gender, aged 2 months old, weighing 200–220 g, were provided by the Animal Experimental Center, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.MethodsThis experiment was carried out in the Clinical Molecular Biochemical Laboratory, Shenzhen Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between October 2006 and April 2007. ▪The involved rats were randomized into 4 groups according to body mass blank control group, model group, electroacupuncture A group and electroacupuncture B group, with 6 in each. Rats in the blank control group were free to access to water, and were not given any intervention. Rats in the latter 3 groups were developed into rat depression models by chronic stress combined with feeding alone, and received 21-day unpredictable various stresses. Rats in the model group were euthanized at 14 days after modeling, and their brain tissues were harvested. Rats in the electroacupuncture A group were modeled, then points “Baihui” and “Shenting” were chosen, and given electroacupuncture, once a day, 20 minutes once. Rats in the electroacupuncture B group were modeled, then points “Baihui”, “Shenting”, “Xinshu” and “Ganshu” were chosen, and frequency and therapeutic time were the same as those of electroacupuncture A group. Rats in the latter 2 groups were also given electroacupuncture, and their brain tissues were harvested 14 days later. ▪ Index evaluation: Neurons in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions as well as dentate gyrus [neuron specific enolase (NSE)-positive cells] were counted by immunofluorescent technique. Each rat was weighted on the day of grouping and before execution at 35 days.Main Outcome MeasuresNeuron amount in each hippocampal region and body mass of rats in each group.ResultsTwenty-four rats were involved in the final analysis. ▪Neuronal amount in each region of hippocampus: Neurons in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions as well as dentate gyrus of rats in the model group were significantly less than those in the blank control group (P < 0.01). Neurons in hippocampal CA1and CA3 regions as well as dentate gyrus of rats in the electroacupuncture A and B groups were more than those in the model group (P < 0.05). ▪ Change in body mass of rats: Body mass increase of rats in the model group was less than that in the blank control group (P < 0.05), and body mass increase of electroacupuncture A and B groups was significantly more than that in the model group, respectively (P < 0.01).ConclusionElectroacupuncture at Du channel and meridian of foot-Taiyang alleviates hippocampal neuronal injury of rats, and thereby, improves depression and promotes the increase of body mass of rats.