[Protective effects on hippocampal neurons and the influence on hippocampal monoamine neurotransmitters with acupuncture for promoting the circulation of the governor vessel and regulating the mental state in rats with post-stroke depression].

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effects on hippocampal neuronal structure and hippocampal monoamine neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine (NE), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) with acupuncture for promoting the circulation of the governor vessel and regulating the mental state ( acupuncture) in rats with post-stroke depression and explore the underlying effect mechanism of acupuncture on post-stroke depression.

METHODS

A total of 48 clean-grade SD rats were randomized into a sham-operation group, a model group, a Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture group and a non-meridian-non-acupoint group, 12 rats in each one. In the model group, the Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture group and the non-meridian-non-acupoint group, the compound method of cerebral medial arterial occlusion and the chronic unpredictable mild stress was adopted to prepare the model of post-stroke depression. In the sham-operation group, skin was opened and the fascia muscle was separated, after artery exposed, no ligation was operated and the incision was sutured directly. In the sham-operation group and the model group, no any intervention was performed. In the Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20), "Shuigou" (GV 26), "Shenting" (CV 24) and "Dazhui" (GV 14) for 40 min in each treatment and the needles were manipulated at the acupoints once in 20 min. The treatment was given once a day, 6 times a week for 4 weeks consecutively. In the non-meridian-non-acupoint group, the depression between the 3rd and 4th metatarsal bones on the dorsum of the forelimb was selected in intervention and the needling technique was same as the Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture group. The behavioral changes were observed after intervention in each group. Using transmission electron microscopy, the ultrastructure of hippocampal CA 1 neurons was observed in the rats of each group. Using high performance liquid chromatography, the contents of NE, 5-HT and DA were determined.

RESULTS

Compared with the sham-operation group, the Zea-longa neurobehavioral score was increased (<0.01), the sucrose water consumption was reduced (<0.01), the number of times of horizontal movement and vertical movement in open-field test were reduced (both <0.01), the damage of the ultrastructure of hippocampal CA 1 neurons was aggravated and the contents of NE, 5-HT and DA were reduced in the model group (<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Zea-Longa neurobehavioral score was reduced (<0.01), the sucrose water consumption was increased (<0.01), the number of times of horizontal movement and vertical movement in open-field test were increased (both <0.01), the damage of the ultrastructure of hippocampal CA 1 neurons was alleviated and the contents of NE, 5-HT and DA were increased in the Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture group (<0.01, <0.05). Compared with the non-meridian-non-acupoint group, the Zea-Longa neurobehavioral score was reduced (<0.01), the sucrose water consumption was increased (<0.01), the number of times of horizontal movement and vertical movement in open-field test were increased (both <0.01), the damage of the ultrastructure of hippocampal CA 1 neurons was alleviated and the contents of NE, 5-HT and DA were increased in the Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture group (<0.01, <0.05).

CONCLUSION

The acupuncture improves the behavior of the model rats with post-stroke depression, repairs hippocampal neuronal damage, which is probably related to the contents of hippocampal monoamine neurotransmitters (NE, 5-HT and DA).