Liu Ru-Peng, Rong Pei-Jing, Huang Zhan-Xia, Ben Hui, Li Liang, Ma Hui-Min, Ma Ying-Ge, Zhu Bing
Institute of Acu-moxibustion, China Acadmy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2012 Apr;37(2):131-5.
OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of auricular concha region (ACR) on behavior changes of depression rats.
A total of 80 male Wistar rats were randomized into depression model (model, n = 6), EA-ACR (n = 12), preventive EA-ACR (Pre-EA-ACR, n = 11) and EA-ear-tip (n = 12) groups. Depression model was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress for 21 days and isolated breeding. Open-field test and sucrose solution intake preference test were conducted to assess changes of the rats' behavior activities before modeling and on day 22, 36 and 50 after starting model. For rats of the pre-EA-ACR group, EA (2 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to the bilateral auricular concha area for 20 min, once daily for 14 days, beginning from the 8th day on after starting model preparation till the end of the modeling, and for rats of the EA-ACR and EA-ear-tip groups, EA was given to the bilateral ACR and ear-tips respectively, beginning after modeling, once daily for 14 days.
In comparison with pre-modeling, the percentages of sucrose solution consumption in rats of the model group decreased gradually from day 22 to 50 (P > 0.05). Compared with the model group,the percentage of sucrose solution consumption in the EA-ACR group was increased significantly on day 50 (P < 0.05), suggesting an inhibitory effect of EA on the reduction of sucrose intake preference at this time-point. No significant differences were found between the pre-EA-ACR and the model groups and between the EA-ear-tip and model groups as well as between the EA-ACR and model groups at most time-points (P > 0.05). Open-field test showed that in comparison with pre-modeling in the same one group, the total scores, crossing and rearing scores on day 22 were decreased considerably in the model and EA-ear-tip groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), rather than in the pre-EA-ACR and EA-ARC groups (P > 0.05), suggesting a suppressing effect of pre-EA-ACR and EA-ACR on depression behavior. Compared to day 22 in the same one group, the total scores, crossing and rearing scores on day 36 and 50 in the pre-EA-ACR and EA-ear-tip groups were decreased significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).
EA of auricular concha region can restrain the development of depression behavioral status in depression rats, which is superior to that of EA of ear-tip.
目的 观察电针刺激耳甲腔区域（ACR）对抑郁大鼠行为变化的影响。
将80只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为抑郁模型组（模型组，n = 6）、电针ACR组（n = 12）、预防性电针ACR组（Pre-EA-ACR组，n = 11）和电针耳尖组（n = 12）。通过慢性不可预测温和应激21天并单独饲养建立抑郁模型。在建模前以及开始造模后第22、36和50天进行旷场试验和蔗糖溶液摄入偏好试验，以评估大鼠行为活动的变化。对于Pre-EA-ACR组大鼠，从开始造模后第8天至造模结束，每天1次，每次20分钟，采用2Hz、1mA的电针刺激双侧耳甲腔区域，共14天；对于电针ACR组和电针耳尖组大鼠，造模后开始，每天1次，分别给予双侧ACR和耳尖电针刺激，共14天。
与建模前相比，模型组大鼠蔗糖溶液消耗百分比从第22天至50天逐渐下降（P > 0.05）。与模型组相比，电针ACR组在第50天蔗糖溶液消耗百分比显著升高（P < 0.05），表明此时电针对蔗糖摄入偏好降低有抑制作用。在大多数时间点，Pre-EA-ACR组与模型组之间、电针耳尖组与模型组之间以及电针ACR组与模型组之间均无显著差异（P > 0.05）。旷场试验显示，与同一组建模前相比，模型组和电针耳尖组在第22天的总分、穿越和直立得分显著降低（P < 0.05，P < 0.01），而Pre-EA-ACR组和电针ACR组则无明显变化（P > 0.05），提示Pre-EA-ACR和电针ACR对抑郁行为有抑制作用。与同一组第22天相比，Pre-EA-ACR组和电针耳尖组在第36和50天的总分、穿越和直立得分显著降低（P < 0.05，P < 0.01）。
耳甲腔区域电针可抑制抑郁大鼠抑郁行为状态的发展，优于耳尖电针。
