Influence of Acupuncture on HPA Axis in a Rat Model of Chronic Stress-induced Depression

摘要

目的:讨抑郁症的神经生物学发病机制,揭示针刺治疗抑郁症的机理.方法:以Wistar大鼠为受试对象,采用给予孤养大鼠以长期不可预见的中等强度刺激的方法建立抑郁大鼠模型,检测应激后造成的抑郁模型大鼠行为学改变、下丘脑垂体肾上腺皮质轴(HPA)的变化,同时观察针刺干预效应及不同针法的疗效比较.结果:型组、生理盐水组血清CORT和ACTH含量明显高于正常对照组(P＜0.05);手针治疗组、电针治疗组血清CORT和ACTH含量明显低于模型组(P＜0.05);药物组血清CORT和ACTH含量明显低于生理盐水组(P＜0.05);手针治疗组、电针治疗组、药物组比较差别无统计学意义.结论:刺百会、太冲具有较明显的抗抑郁效应,其机制可能与针刺对HPA轴的调整有关.%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.