1.Measurement and clinical significance of serum LDH,MCP-1,and TCF4 in patients with cerebral small vessel disease complicated by depression
Journal of Apoplexy and Nervous Diseases 2026;43(1):47-51
Objective To explore the changes in serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and transcription factor 4 (TCF4) levels in patients with cerebral small vessel disease complicated by depression and their clinical significance. Methods According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 90 patients admitted to the Kailuan General Hospital between January 2022 and August 2024 were selected as the study subjects, including 27 patients diagnosed with cerebral small vessel disease complicated by depression and 63 patients with cerebral small vessel disease uncomplicated by depression. An additional 45 healthy individuals with normal head MRI findings and no mental disorders during the same period at the hospital were selected as the control group. General information was collected from the three groups, including age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure.The general information and the levels of serum LDH,MCP-1,and TCF4 in the three groups were compared. The correlations of serum LDH,MCP-1,and TCF4 levels with HAMD score in patients with cerebral small vessel disease and depression were analyzed. Logistic regression was applied to analyze possible factors leading to depression in patients with cerebral small vessel disease.The receiver operating characteristic curve was applied to analyze the efficacy of serum LDH, MCP-1, and TCF4 levels in diagnosing depression in patients with cerebral small vessel disease. Results The levels of serum LDH, MCP-1,and TCF4 were significantly higher in the cerebral small vessel disease complicated by depression group than in cerebral small vessel disease uncomplicated with depression group and the control group (P<0.05), and these levels were significantly higher in the cerebral small vessel disease uncomplicated with depression group than in the control group (P<0.05).The serum LDH,MCP-1 and TCF4 were positively correlated with HAMD score in patients with cerebral small vessel disease complicated with depression(r=0.606,0.798,0.672,all P<0.001).Serum LDH, MCP-1, and TCF4 were influencing factors for depression in cerebral small vessel disease(P<0.05).The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of LDH, MCP-1,and TCF4 in combination in the diagnosis of depression in cerebral small vessel disease was 0.917, which was superior to serum LDH, MCP-1, and TCF4 alone (ZLDH-combination=2.457,P=0.014;ZMCP-1-combination=2.384, P=0.017; ZTCF4-combination=2.317, P=0.021). Conclusion Serum LDH, MCP-1, and TCF4 levels increased in patients with cerebral small vessel disease complicated with depression. Their combination is valuable in the diagnosis of cerebral small vessel disease complicated with depression.
Depression
2.The development trajectory of sleep disturbance in patients with hepatolenticular degeneration and its relationship with depression:A cross-lagged regression analysis
Journal of Apoplexy and Nervous Diseases 2026;43(2):131-134
Objective To investigate the changing trend of sleep disturbance in patients with hepatolenticular degeneration and the bidirectional relationship between sleep disturbance and depression through a cross-lagged regression analysis. Methods A total of 80 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for WD from January to June 2024 were enrolled in this longitudinal study and were followed up for 3 months.Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality, and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess the severity of depression, at the time of enrollment (T0), at 1 month after enrollment (T1),and at 2 months after enrollment (T3). An unconditional growth model was used to analyze the trajectory of sleep disturbance, and a cross-lagged regression model was used to investigate the temporal relationship between sleep disturbance and depression. Results From T0 to T2, there were significant increases in PSQI and BDI scores in all WD patients(P<0.05). The variance of the intercept factor (the initial status of sleep disturbance) was estimated at 10.83(P<0.01),and the variance of the slope factor (the rate of change in sleep disturbance) was 1.20 (P<0.01),with a significant negative correlation between the intercept and the slope (r=-0.25,P<0.01). The correlation analysis of PSQI and BDI scores across the three time points revealed a positive correlation between PSQI and BDI scores (r∈[0.19,0.96],P<0.01).The cross-lagged model analysis showed that sleep disturbance significantly predicted subsequent depression (P<0.01),with standardized regression coefficients (β) of 0.392 and 0.347, respectively; meanwhile, depression also significantly predicted subsequent sleep disturbance (P<0.01), with β of 0.273 and 0.372, respectively. These findings suggested a bidirectional predictive relationship between sleep disturbance and depression in WD patients over time. Conclusion There is a bidirectional relationship between sleep disturbance and depression in patients with WD, and depression has a more pronounced influence on sleep disturbance. Therefore, clinical interventions should focus on both sleep and psychological state, and combined management should be performed to improve the effect of disease control.
Depression
3.Causal relationship between Parkinson disease and the risk of mental illness: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Journal of Apoplexy and Nervous Diseases 2026;43(2):145-149
Objective Observational studies have shown an association between Parkinson disease (PD) and mental illness, but further studies are needed to explore the causal relationship between them. This study aims to investigate such causal relationship using the method of two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods Related data were extracted from GWAS, and summary statistics associated with PD, depression, sleep disorders, and anxiety phenotype-variants were obtained. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for PD were selected as instrumental variables, and MR-PRESSO was used to exclude outliers. Inverse variance weighting was used as the main method to assess causal effect estimates, and MR Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode were used to verify the robustness of the findings. A sensitivity analysis was used to validate the reliability of the results, including the Cochran Q test, the MR-Egger intercept test, funnel plots, and the leave-one-out method. Results A total of 21 SNPs associated with PD were identified. The MR analysis showed that PD had a causal relationship with depression (OR=0.974,95%CI 0.934‒1.015, P=0.210), sleep disorders (OR=1.056, 95%CI 0.970-1.149, P=0.211), and anxiety (OR=0.998, 95%CI 0.996‒1.001, P=0.118), with no statistical significance. Different MR analyses and sensitivity analyses showed that PD did not directly contribute to the development of mental illness. Conclusion There is no direct causal relationship between PD and depression/sleep disorders/anxiety. In clinical practice, healthcare professionals should pay attention to the mental health of patients with PD. Randomized controlled studies should be conducted in the future to further validate the results of this study.
Depression
;
Anxiety
4.FU Wenbin's experience in treatment of post-stroke depression with holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibusiton for Shugan Tiaoshen.
Yawen LI ; Bingxin WU ; Xiaochai GU ; Wenbin FU
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(4):510-515
This paper introduces FU Wenbin's clinical experience in treatment of post-stroke depression with holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibusiton for Shugan Tiaoshen (soothing the liver and regulating the mind). In pathogenesis, post-stroke depression is associated with the loss of the mind control and the failure of the liver in maintaining the free flow of qi. In treating principle, soothing the liver qi and regulating the mind are equally important, and the holistic regulation is applicable with the combination of multiple therapies. During treatment, the four-gate points are stimulated at first to promote liver qi flowing, the acupoints of the conception vessel and the governor vessel (e.g. Zhongwan [CV12], Guanyuan [CV4], Baihui [GV20], Yintang [GV24+]) are combined to regulate the mind and regain the consciousness. The conditions of illness are differentiated in terms of excess and deficiency, and the point prescription is modified accordingly. Refined moxibustion is applied specially at Fengchi (GB20), Fengfu (GV16) and Wangu (GB12) to warm meridians, strengthen yang and nourish the mind. In the last step of treatment, shallow needling techniques, such as the pricking and bloodletting, intradermal needling and auricular acupuncture, are used to consolidate the curative effect.
Humans
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Depression/etiology*
;
Stroke/psychology*
;
Female
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Moxibustion
;
Aged
;
Adult
5.Acupuncture and moxibustion combined with umbilical therapy for 30 cases of anxiety and depression in patients with neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury.
Dongli WANG ; Xueqian WANG ; Rui WANG ; Youzhi HAO ; Weiwei QIAO ; Chao LI ; Yinping ZUO
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(7):923-926
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with umbilical therapy on anxiety and depression in patients with neurogenic bladder (NB) after spinal cord injury (SCI).
METHODS:
Thirty cases of NB after SCI with anxiety and depression were selected and treated with acupuncture and moxibustion combined with umbilical therapy. Acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV20), Yintang (GV24+), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Shenmen (HT7), Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3), once a day, continuous treatment for 4 weeks. Ginger moxibustion was applied at the bladder meridian of foot taiyang and governor vessel, once a day, continuous treatment for 4 weeks. In treatment of umbilical therapy, Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri), Yujin (Radix Curcumae), Rougui (Cortex Cinnamomi) were ground and mixed with the same amount of honey, put into the application, and the application was placed on the navel after filling the navel with fine salt, once a day for 4 weeks. Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) score, Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) score, urodynamic indexes (maximum urinary flow rate [Qmax], maximum detrusor pressure [Pdet-max], residual urine volume [RUV]), neurogenic bladder symptom score (NBSS), urinary symptom distress scale (USDS) score were compared before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.
RESULTS:
After treatment, the scores of HAMA, HAMD, NBSS, USDS and RUVwere lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and Qmax and Pdet-max were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.3 (28/30).
CONCLUSION
Acupuncture and moxibustion combined with umbilical therapy can effectively relieve anxiety and depression symptoms, improve urination disorders in patients with NB after SCI.
Humans
;
Moxibustion
;
Male
;
Female
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Spinal Cord Injuries/psychology*
;
Depression/etiology*
;
Anxiety/etiology*
;
Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic/etiology*
;
Young Adult
;
Aged
;
Combined Modality Therapy
;
Acupuncture Points
6.Heat-sensitive moxibustion robot for improving depressive state in methamphetamine addicts during withdrawal period: a randomized controlled trial.
Yuexia JIANG ; Haiyan LI ; Wei HE ; Jing ZHOU ; Chunliang ZOU ; Dingyi XIE ; Rixin CHEN
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(8):1061-1067
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the clinical efficacy of heat-sensitive moxibustion robot for improving the depressive state of methamphetamine addicts during withdrawal period.
METHODS:
A total of 60 patients with methamphetamine addiction accompanied with depressive state were randomly divided into an observation group (40 cases, 4 cases dropped out) and a control group (20 cases, 2 cases dropped out). The control group received routine health education and addiction treatment in compulsory isolation drug rehabilitation center. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, in the observation group, the heat-sensitive moxibustion robot was used to locate sensitive points at the Shenque (CV8) and Danzhong (CV17), and dual-point sparrow-pecking moxibustion was delivered for 60 min per session. The moxibustion therapy was performed 4 times in the 1st week, 3 times in the 2nd and 3rd weeks respectively, and 2 times in the 4th week, for 12 times totally. The scores of Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), self-rating depression scale (SDS), visual analogue scale (VAS) for drug craving, Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were observed before treatment, at the end of the 2nd and 4th weeks of treatment, and 4 weeks after the treatment completion (follow-up) in the two groups.
RESULTS:
At each time point after treatment, in the observation group, the HAMD, VAS, HAMA and PSQI scores were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.001); at the end of the 4th week of treatment and in follow-up, the SDS and SAS scores were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.001, P<0.01). Compared before treatment, there were no significant differences in the above scores at each time point after treatment in the control group (P>0.05). In the observation group, at each time point after treatment, the HAMD and VAS scores were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.001, P<0.05); at the end of the 4th week of treatment and in follow-up, the SDS and HAMA scores were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.001); at the end of the 4th week of treatment, the PSQI score was lower than that in the control group (P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
Heat-sensitive moxibustion robot effectively improves depression, anxiety and sleep quality, and reduces drug craving in methamphetamine addicts during withdrawal period.
Humans
;
Moxibustion/methods*
;
Male
;
Adult
;
Female
;
Methamphetamine/adverse effects*
;
Depression/therapy*
;
Middle Aged
;
Robotics
;
Young Adult
;
Amphetamine-Related Disorders/psychology*
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/psychology*
7.Effect of Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture on hippocampal neuronal ferroptosis in depression rats based on SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway.
Tingting QIAN ; Ling ZOU ; Zhi GAO ; Yu WU ; Yanbiao ZHAO ; Nan LI ; Hui LIU ; Meixiang SUN ; Peiyang SUN
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(8):1120-1127
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effects of Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture (acupuncture for unblocking the obstruction in the governor vessel and regulating the spirit) on the depression-like behavior and the hippocampal neuronal ferroptosis mediated by solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway in depression rats, and explore the mechanism of this therapy for depression.
METHODS:
Of 30 male SD rats of SPF grade, 24 rats were selected. According to the random number table, they were divided into a normal group (n=8) and a modeling group (n=16). The rats in the modeling group were subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for 28 consecutive days to establish depression model. After modeling, 16 successfully-modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group and an acupuncture group, 8 rats in each one. In the acupuncture group, Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture was applied to "Dazhui"(GV14), "Shuigou" (GV26), "Baihui" (GV20) and "Shenting" (GV24). This intervention measure was deliveredonce a day, continuously for 6 days. The intervention discontinued on day 7, and was completed in 4 weeks. Before and after modeling, and after intervention completion, the behavioristics detection was performed using sucrose preference experiment and open field experiment. After intervention, using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Nissl staining, the morphology of hippocampal neurons was observed; with Western blot method, the protein expression of GPX4, SLC7A11, Ferritin and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family 4 (ACSL4) in hippocampal tissues was detected; with the real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR adopted, the mRNA expression of GPX4, SLC7A11, Ferritin and ACSL4 was detected; and using colorimetry, the hippocampal iron content was determined.
RESULTS:
After modeling, the sucrose preference rates, the total distance of movement, the standing times and the boxes of horizontal crossing in the model group and the acupuncture group were lower than those in the normal group (P<0.01). After the intervention, the sucrose preference rates, the total distance of movement, the standing times and the boxes of horizontal crossing in the acupuncture group were higher than those in the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the number of necrotic cells increased and the number of Nissl bodies decreased in the model group; and when compared with the model group, the neuronal pyknosis and necrosis were ameliorated, the cells were arranged more regularly, the neuronal structure was clear, the matrix was dense, the blood vessels were enriched and the number of Nissl bodies increased in the acupuncture group. In comparison with the normal group, the relative expression of protein and mRNA of hippocampal GPX4, SLC7A11 decreased (P<0.01), it increased in the expression of hippocampal Ferritin and ACSL4 (P<0.01) in the model group. When compared with the model group, in the acupuncture group, the relative expression of protein and mRNA of hippocampal GPX4, SLC7A11 was elevated (P<0.01, P<0.05), it was dropped for hippocampal Ferritin and ACSL4 (P<0.01). In the model group, the hippocampal iron content was elevated when compared with that in the normal group (P<0.01); and it was reduced in the acupuncture group when compared with that in the model group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture attenuates depression-like behaviors in the depression rats, which may be related to regulating SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway and inhibiting neuronal ferroptosis in the hippocampus.
Animals
;
Ferroptosis
;
Male
;
Hippocampus/cytology*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Depression/enzymology*
;
Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase/genetics*
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Neurons/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Amino Acid Transport System y+/genetics*
;
Glutathione Peroxidase/genetics*
8.Effects of Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture on depression-like behavior and Endophilin A1/ROS pathway in hippocampal tissue of CUMS model rats.
Ling ZOU ; Xiaoge SONG ; Yanbiao ZHAO ; Tingting QIAN ; Yifan CHU ; Wen PAN ; Haoran CHU ; Shaojie YANG ; Meixiang SUN ; Peiyang SUN
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(9):1281-1289
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effects of Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture (for unblocking the obstruction in the governor vessel and regulating the spirit) on depression-like behavior and the hippocampal Endophilin A1/reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway in the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model rats, and explore the mechanism of this therapy for depression.
METHODS:
Forty-eight male SD rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into a normal group (n=12) and a modeling group (n=36). In the modeling group, CUMS was performed to establish depression model. The successfully-modeled rats were randomized into a model group, a Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture group (referred to as the acupuncture group), and a fluoxetine group, with 12 rats in each group. In the acupuncture group, "Baihui" (GV20), "Shenting" (GV24), "Shuigou" (GV26) and "Dazhui" (GV14) were stimulated with acupuncture. This intervention measure was delivered once a day, continuously for 6 days; it was discontinued on day 7 and was completed in 28 days. In the fluoxetine group, intragastric administration was done with fluoxetine solution (2.1 mg/kg), once a day, and for 28 consecutive days. Before and after modeling, and after intervention completion, the body mass, sucrose preference rate and the total distance of movement and the boxes of horizontal crossing in the open field experiment were observed in each group. After intervention, using HE staining, the hippocampal neuron morphology was observed; using Nissl staining, the hippocampal Nissl body number was counted. The hippocampal mitochondria was observed under transmission electron microscopy. The average fluorescence intensity of ROS in hippocampal was determined using flow cytometry. With Western blot method, the protein expression of Endophilin A1, growth associated protein 43 (GAP-43), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampal was detected; and with RT-qPCR method, the mRNA expression of Endophilin A1, GAP-43, and BDNF was recorded. Using the immunofluorescence, the average fluorescence intensity of Endophilin A1, GAP-43, and BDNF in hippocampal tissue was determined.
RESULTS:
Compared with the normal group, in the model group, the body mass, sucrose preference rate, and the total distance of movement and the boxes of horizontal crossing in the open field experiment decreased (P<0.01); the hippocampal neuronal structure was unclear, the matrix was relatively loose, and the number of Nissl body decreased (P<0.01); mitochondrial structure was disarranged, the outer membrane was ruptured, mitochondrial cristae was irregular or missed; the average fluorescence intensity of ROS in hippocampal tissue, the protein and mRNA expression and the average fluorescence intensity of Endophilin A1 in hippocampal tissue increased (P<0.01), while the protein and mRNA expression of GAP-43 and BDNF and its average fluorescence intensity decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the acupuncture group and the fluoxetine group showed the increase in body mass, sucrose preference rate, the total distance of movement and the boxes of horizontal crossing in the open field experiment (P<0.05, P<0.01); the hippocampal neuronal structure became relatively clear, the matrix was relatively dense, and the number of Nissl body was elevated (P<0.01); mitochondrial structure got normal and disarranged slightly, the average fluorescence intensity of ROS in hippocampal tissue, the protein and mRNA expression and the average fluorescence intensity of Endophilin A1 in hippocampal tissue were reduced (P<0.01), while the protein and mRNA expression of GAP-43 and BDNF and the average fluorescence intensity rose (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the fluoxetine group, the acupuncture group presented the increase in the average fluorescence intensity of ROS, the protein expression and the average fluorescence intensity of Endophilin A1, the protein expression of GAP-43 and the mRNA expression of BDNF (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the decrease of the protein expression and the average fluorescence intensity of BDNF, the mRNA expression of Endophilin A1, and the average fluorescence intensity of GAP-43 (P<0.01, P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Tongdu tiaoshen acupuncture alleviates depression-like behaviors in CUMS model rats and protects hippocampal neurons, which may be related to suppressing Endophilin A1/ROS signaling pathway and attenuating oxidative stress reactions.
Animals
;
Male
;
Hippocampus/metabolism*
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Depression/psychology*
;
Humans
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Acupuncture Points
9.Tiaoshen Guben holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion for 24 cases of comorbidity of depression and insomnia.
Zhongxian LI ; Pan ZHANG ; Qiaoyu JI ; Min PENG ; Zitong JIAO ; Yifu ZHOU ; Junquan LIANG ; Luda YAN ; Wenbin FU ; Peng ZHOU
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(11):1559-1564
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the clinical effect of Tiaoshen Guben holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion (holistic treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion by adjusting the mind and consolidating the root) on comorbidity of depression and insomnia.
METHODS:
Twenty-four patients with comorbidity of depression and insomnia were included and treated with Tiaoshen Guben holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion. Acupuncture was applied to Baihui (GV20), Guanyuan (CV4), bilateral Neiguan (PC6), etc. The refined moxibustion therapy was delivered at Zhongwan (CV12), Qihai (CV6), bilateral Yongquan (KI1), etc. Subcutaneous embedding therapy with thumb-tack needle was adopted at bilateral Xinshu (BL15), bilateral Pishu (BL20), etc. The intervention was operated once every other day, 3 treatments a week, and for 6 consecutive weeks. Before and after treatment completion, and in 1 month after treatment, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Hamilton's depression scale (HAMD-17) were adopted to assess sleep quality and depression symptoms in the patients, respectively. Before and after treatment completion, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the functional connectivity (FC) of locus coeruleus (LC) in brain regions was evaluated; and the levels of serum norepinephrine (NE), cortisol (CORT), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) were detected.
RESULTS:
Compared with the scores before treatment, PSQI and HAMD-17 scores after treatment completion and in 1 month after treatment were reduced (P<0.01); and strengthened FC was revealed between the right LC and the pars opercularis of the left inferior frontal gyrus, as well as the lateral occipital lobe region. After treatment completion, serum NE was elevated (P<0.01), the levels of CORT, ACTH and CRH were reduced (P<0.01). Before and after treatment completion, the difference in FC between the right LC and the pars opercularis of the left inferior frontal gyrus was negatively correlated with the differences in PSQI score (r = -0.484, P = 0.016) and HAMD-17 score (r = -0.233, P = 0.027).
CONCLUSION
Tiaoshen Guben holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion can effectively alleviate depression symptoms and improve sleep quality in the patients with comorbidity of depression and insomnia, which is obtained probably through reducing the levels of serum CORT, ACTH and CRH, increasing serum NE, strengthening the FC of the right LC with the pars opercularis of the left inferior frontal gyrus and the lateral occipital lobe region.
Humans
;
Moxibustion
;
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/therapy*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Depression/complications*
;
Aged
;
Young Adult
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Comorbidity
10.Effect of electroacupuncture at "Hegu" (LI4) and "Taichong" (LR3) on DNA methylation of the SLC6A4 gene promoter in the hippocampus of depressed rats.
Xi ZHANG ; Shengyong SU ; Xin LI ; Tian WANG
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(11):1609-1616
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Hegu" (LI4) and "Taichong" (LR3) on DNA methylation of the solute carrier family 6 member 4 (SLC6A4) gene promoter region in the hippocampus of depressed rats, and to explore the potential antidepressant mechanism of EA.
METHODS:
Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a medication group, a 5-Azacytidine (5-AZA) group, and an EA group, 6 rats in each group. Depression models were established in the model group, the medication group, the 5-AZA group, and the EA group using chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) combined with solitary housing. The medication group was treated with intragastric administration of fluoxetine hydrochloride capsules; the 5-AZA group was treated with intraperitoneal injection of 5-AZA; the EA group was treated with EA at bilateral "Hegu" (LI4) and "Taichong" (LR3), with disperse-dense wave, frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz, and intensity of 1-1.2 mA, 20 min each session. All the treatment was given in three groups once daily for 21 consecutive days. Behavioral changes were evaluated by sucrose preference test, open field test, and novelty-suppressed feeding test. Serum levels of serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE) were measured by ELISA. The expression of SLC6A4 and 5-HT1AR protein and mRNA in hippocampus was detected by Western blot and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively. DNA methylation status of the SLC6A4 promoter region in hippocampal tissue was analyzed by bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP).
RESULTS:
Compared with the blank group, the model group showed decreased sucrose preference, reduced total locomotor distance, and prolonged latency to feeding (P<0.05), decreased serum 5-HT, DA, and NE levels (P<0.05), downregulated hippocampal SLC6A4 and 5-HT1AR protein and mRNA expression (P<0.05), and increased CpG site methylation rate of the SLC6A4 promoter region (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the medication group, the 5-AZA group, and the EA group exhibited increased sucrose preference, increased total locomotor distance, shortened latency to feeding (P<0.05), elevated serum 5-HT, DA, and NE levels (P<0.05), upregulated hippocampal SLC6A4 and 5-HT1AR protein and mRNA expression (P<0.05), and reduced CpG site methylation rate of the SLC6A4 promoter (P<0.05). Compared with the medication group and the 5-AZA group, the EA group showed higher sucrose preference, greater total locomotor distance, shorter latency to feeding (P<0.05), and increased serum DA and NE levels (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
EA could improve depressive behaviors in depressed rat models. The underlying mechanism may involve inhibition of SLC6A4 hypermethylation in the hippocampus on the serotonergic system, upregulation of SLC6A4 and 5-HT1AR protein and mRNA expression, and elevation of monoamine neurotransmitters such as 5-HT.
Animals
;
Electroacupuncture
;
Male
;
Hippocampus/metabolism*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Acupuncture Points
;
DNA Methylation
;
Depression/metabolism*
;
Promoter Regions, Genetic
;
Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism*
;
Humans

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