Electroacupuncture stimulation of auricular concha region improves loss of control over stress induced depression-like behavior by modulating 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor.

OBJECTIVE

To observe whether electroacupuncture stimulation of auricular concha region (EA-ACR) on behavior changes of depression by loss of control over stress model (LOC), and whether its effect is improved by regulating the expression levels of hydroxytryptamine (serotonin, 5-HT) 1A receptor (5-HTR)/ hydroxytryptamine (serotonin, 5-HT) 2A receptor (5-HTR) in hippocampus.

METHODS

LOC was prepared using a Skinner box, and EA-ACR to observe behavioral changes, and Western Blot was used to detect the changes of 5-HTR/5-HTR in the hippocampus, and then observe the changes of EA-ACR behavior after microinjection of 5-HTR/5-HTR antagonist into the hippocampus.

RESULTS

EA-ACR improve depressive-like behavior, up-regulated 5-HTR expression and down-regulated 5-HTR expression in hippocampal brain area. EA-ACR did not improve depression-like behavior after hippocampal microinjection of 5-HTR antagonist, while injection of 5-HTR antagonists can improve depression-like behaviors.

CONCLUSION

EA-ACR can improve depressive-like behaviors. Loss of control over stress leads to up-regulation of 5-HTR and down-regulation of 5-HTR in the hippocampus, while EA-ACR mainly improves depressive behavior by regulating 5-HTR in Hip.