Wang Hong-Mei, Li Chen, Li Xiao-Yan, Zhao Ya, Lu Jun, Wu Ji-Hong, Tu Ya
School of Acupuncture-moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2020 Oct 25;45(10):806-11. doi: 10.13702/j.1000-0607.200063.
To observe the influence of acupuncture on the expression of pivotal molecules of Nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome signal pathway in the prefrontal cortex of rats with depression, so as to explore the underlying mechanism of acupuncture on treatment of depression.
SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (8 rats/group)，namely control, model, acupuncture and fluoxetine groups. The depression model was established by using chronic unpredictable mild stress for 6 weeks. During modeling, acupuncture (10 min)was applied to "Baihui"(GV20) and "Yintang"(EX-HN3) for rats of the acupuncture group once a day, with 1 day interval after consecutive 6 day-period for 36 days. Fluoxetine was given (10 mg/kg，1 mg/mL) by gavage to rats of the fluoxetine group every day during modeling for 42 days. The novelty-suppressed feeding test was used to observe feeding behavior of rats. The expressions of NLRP3 and apoptosis associated speck like protein containing a CARD (ASC), Caspase-1, and contents of IL-1β in the prefrontal cortex were detected by Western blot, immunohistoche-mistry and ELISA, separately.
Compared with the control group, the latency of the novelty-suppressed feeding, and the expressions of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and IL-1β content in the prefrontal cortex of the model group were significantly increased (<0.01). Following the interventions, the latency of the noveltysuppressed feeding，and the expressions of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and IL-1β content in the prefrontal cortex in the acupuncture and fluoxetine groups were significantly decreased (<0.05，<0.01). There was no significant differences in the above indicators between the acupuncture group and the fluoxetine group (>0.05).
Acupuncture could inhibit the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome signal pathway in the pre-frontal cortex, and reduce the inflammation in the brain, which may mediate the anti-depressant effect of acupuncture.
观察针刺对抑郁大鼠前额叶皮质Nod样受体蛋白3（NLRP3）炎性小体信号通路关键分子表达的影响，以探讨针刺治疗抑郁症的潜在机制。
将SD大鼠随机分为4组（每组8只），即对照组、模型组、针刺组和氟西汀组。采用慢性不可预测温和应激法建立抑郁模型，持续6周。造模期间，针刺组大鼠每天针刺“百会”（GV20）和“印堂”（EX-HN3）10分钟，连续针刺6天后间隔1天，共36天。造模期间，氟西汀组大鼠每天灌胃给予氟西汀（10mg/kg，1mg/mL），共42天。采用新奇性抑制摄食试验观察大鼠的摄食行为。分别采用蛋白质免疫印迹法、免疫组织化学法和酶联免疫吸附测定法检测前额叶皮质中NLRP3、含半胱天冬酶激活和招募结构域的凋亡相关斑点样蛋白（ASC）、半胱天冬酶-1的表达及白细胞介素-1β的含量。
与对照组比较，模型组新奇性抑制摄食潜伏期及前额叶皮质NLRP3、ASC、半胱天冬酶-1的表达和白细胞介素-1β含量均显著升高（P<0.01）。干预后，针刺组和氟西汀组新奇性抑制摄食潜伏期及前额叶皮质NLRP3、ASC、半胱天冬酶-1的表达和白细胞介素-1β含量均显著降低（P<0.05，P<0.01）。针刺组与氟西汀组上述指标比较，差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。
针刺可抑制前额叶皮质NLRP3炎性小体信号通路的表达，减轻脑内炎症反应，这可能是针刺发挥抗抑郁作用的机制之一。
