Fluoxetine, an anti-depressant drug, has recently been shown to provide neuroprotection in central nervous system injury, but its roles in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether fluoxetine attenuates early brain injury (EBI) after SAH. We demonstrated that intraperitoneal injection of fluoxetine (10 mg/kg per day) significantly attenuated brain edema and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, microglial activation, and neuronal apoptosis in EBI after experimental SAH, as evidenced by the reduction of brain water content and Evans blue dye extravasation, prevention of disruption of the tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, claudin-5, and occludin, a decrease of cells staining positive for Iba-1, ED-1, and TUNEL and a decline in IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, 3-nitrotyrosine, and 8-OHDG levels. Moreover, fluoxetine significantly improved the neurological deficits of EBI and long-term sensorimotor behavioral deficits following SAH in a rat model. These results indicated that fluoxetine has a neuroprotective effect after experimental SAH.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; drug effects ; Brain Edema ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Cytokines ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fluoxetine ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Pain Measurement ; Psychomotor Performance ; drug effects ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; complications ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Time Factors ; Vasospasm, Intracranial ; drug therapy ; etiology

OBJECTIVEto observe the effect differences and safety between acupuncture and sham acupuncture for female depression on the basis of conventional western medicine therapy.

METHODSForty-two patients with depression who met the criteria were randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, 21 patients in each group. The basic treatment in the two groups was fluoxetine. The patients in the observation group were treated with acupuncture at Zhongwan (CV 12), Xiawan (CV 10), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4) and bilateral Shangqu (KI 17). Sham acupuncture was used at the above points in the control group. The treatment was given once a day on the first 3 days and once every 3 days after that, totally for 8 weeks. The scores of self-rating depression scale (SDS) and Montgomery Asberg depression rating scale (MADRS) were compared before and after 4-week and 8-week treatment in the two groups. The effects and adverse reactions were evaluated.

RESULTSAfter 4-week and 8-week treatment, the SDS and MADRS scores were significantly lower than those before treatment in the two groups (all <0.05), and the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (both <0.05). The improvements of SDS and MADRS scores in the observation group before and after treatment were better than those in the control group (both <0.05). The total effective rates of SDS, MADRS scores were 85.7% (18/21), 90.5% (19/21) in the observation group, which were better than 38.1% (8/21), 57.1% (12/21) in the control group (both <0.05). The adverse reactions in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture combined with fluoxetine are effective and safe for female depression.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Depression ; therapy ; Female ; Fluoxetine ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Treatment Outcome

The antidepressant effects of the flavonoid-rich fraction of Monodora tenuifolia seed extract were examined by assessing the extent of attenuation of behavioural alterations and oxidative damage in the rats that were stressed by forced swim test. Compared with the model control group, the altered behavioural parameters were attenuated significantly (P < 0.05) in the group treated with the flavonoid-rich fraction (100 and 200 mg·kg(-1)), comparable to the group treated with the standard drug, fluoxetine (10 mg·kg(-1)). The flavonoid-rich fraction and fluoxetine improved significantly (P < 0.05) the activities of the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase as well as other biochemical parameters such as reduced glutathione, protein, and nitrite in the brain of the stressed rats. These results suggested that the flavonoid-rich fraction of Monodora tenuifolia seed extract exerted the antidepressant-like effects which could be useful in the management of stress induced disease.
Animals ; Annonaceae ; chemistry ; Antidepressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Brain ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Flavonoids ; therapeutic use ; Fluoxetine ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Seeds ; chemistry ; Swimming

OBJECTIVETo understand the comorbid characteristics and distribution of combined treatment of Chinese and Western medicine in depressive patients.

METHODThe descriptive statistic method and association rule were used to analyze the data from 19 general hospitals with 3-A level in China.

RESULTAmong the depressive disorder, the most frequent co-morbid physical diseases included hypertension (24.67%), coronary heart disease (16.10%) and cerebral infarction (12.89%), and the proportion of comorbid changes with the increasing age, from 6.51% to 12.55%, 16.33% and 12.47% for hypertension; from 2.79% to 5.69%, 10.17% and 14.22% for coronary heart disease; from 3.72%, 6.27%, 7.70% and 12.25% for cerebral infarction. The use frequency of the antidepressants is 77.18%, and the use frequency of flupentixol & melitracen is 20.95%. The use frequency of Huoxue Huayu Tongluo of traditional Chinese medicine is 59.97%, with that of 27.91% for Ginkgo biloba extract The combined use frequency of Huoxue Huayu Tongluo of TCM and the antidepressants is the highest, especially for the combined use of Shuxuening injection and fluoxetine.

CONCLUSIONThe most frequent comorbid diseases of depression include three kinds of diseases, such as hypertension, coronary heart disease and cerebral infarction, and its proportion gradually increased with the growth of age. The single use frequency of flupentixol & melitracen and G. biloba extract is the highest, while the combined use of Shuxuening injection and fluoxetine is the highest.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anthracenes ; therapeutic use ; Antidepressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Combined Modality Therapy ; methods ; Depressive Disorder ; drug therapy ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fluoxetine ; therapeutic use ; Flupenthixol ; therapeutic use ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

This paper summarized the Chinese literatures in the previous 5 years about the pre-clinical animal researches on the application of electro-acupuncture (EA) treatment for depression, searched in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). The efficiency of EA treatment for depression and the mechanism of it were discussed, to shed light on new ideas and new fronts for the further research on depression in clinical or pre-clinical fields.
Animal Experimentation ; Animals ; Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Behavior, Animal ; physiology ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Depression ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; psychology ; therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; methods ; Fluoxetine ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Stress, Psychological ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; psychology ; therapy

To study the effect of early intervention of liver-soothing and Blood-activating decoction combined with acupuncture in improving neurological functions, depressive symptom and life quality of patients with post-stroke depression, and compare with fluoxetine hydrochloride. Specifically, 63 patients with post-stroke depression were randomly divided into the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncture group (31 cases) and the western medicine group (32 cases). On the basis of the conventional treatment of the primary disease, the TCM acupuncture group was treated with liver-soothing and blood-activating decoction and acupuncture, while the western medicine group was treated with fluoxetine hydrochloride for four weeks. In the follow-up visit six months later, scores of HAMD, NIHSS and SS-QOL were observed. The scores of HAMD and NIHSS of both groups were significantly decreased (P < 0.01), while the scores of SS-QOL increased significantly, with a notable difference compared with that before the treatment (P < 0.01). Specifically, the TCM acupuncture group's was superior to the western medicine group (P < 0.05). The study suggests that the early intervention of liver-soothing and blood-activating decoction combined with acupuncture on patients with post-stroke depression has the effect in relieving depression symptom and improving neurological functions, thereby improving their quality of life and prognosis.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Depression ; drug therapy ; etiology ; therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Early Intervention (Education) ; Female ; Fluoxetine ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Stroke ; psychology

INTRODUCTIONSelective mutism (SM) is characterised by limited or a lack of speech in selected social settings. Recent reviews suggest that cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective and promising treatment approach for SM. However, there is still a lack of studies documenting the applicability of CBT for SM in diverse populations. The goal of the present study was to examine the use of a web-based CBT programme ('Meeky Mouse') among Singaporean children diagnosed with SM.

METHODSFive children with SM (one boy and four girls aged 6-11 years) participated in the 14-week 'Meeky Mouse' programme, in addition to being prescribed with an unchanged dosage of fluoxetine 10-20 mg daily. The progress made by the children throughout the course of the programme was documented by the therapist.

RESULTSPost treatment, four out of the five children demonstrated improvements in the frequency of speech during therapy sessions at home, in school and at other social situations.

CONCLUSIONFindings from the present study provide support for the use of a web-based CBT programme in improving speech and decreasing the severity of SM among affected children.

Child ; Cognitive Therapy ; methods ; Female ; Fluoxetine ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Internet ; Male ; Mutism ; therapy ; Singapore ; Social Environment ; Speech ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Telemedicine ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; User-Computer Interface

OBJECTIVE: To observe the change of serum homocysteine (Hcy) and anti-citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody concentration in depression rat model induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), and to explore the immunologic mechanism of depression and the relation between depression and its autoimmunity. METHODS: Sixty adult male SD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, 30 rats in each group, which were divided into 3 subgroups: a normal control group, a model group and a fluoxetinetreated group. The depression rat model was established under CUMS and seperated feeding, after which, open field, sugar consumption and forced swimming test were applied in the first group. After the blood was taken in the second group of rats through heart puncture, the level of serum Hcy was detected by enzymatic cycling assay and serum anti-CCP antibody by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with the control group and the fluoxetine treatment group, spontaneous activity and sucrose consumption and preference percentage of the rats in the model group significantly reduced, while the immobility time in forced swimming test and the level of Hcy and anti-CCP antibody in the rat serum significantly increased. CONCLUSION Immunity inflammation and autoimmune reaction exist in CUMS depression model rats, and fluoxetine treatment can improve these immune response.
Animals ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Depression ; drug therapy ; etiology ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fluoxetine ; therapeutic use ; Homocysteine ; blood ; Male ; Peptides, Cyclic ; immunology ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stress, Physiological ; immunology

Affective Symptoms ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Female ; Fluoxetine ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; MELAS Syndrome ; complications ; psychology ; Middle Aged ; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Stroke ; complications ; psychology

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of depression treatment by needling at Taichong (LV3) and the correlation between the liver meridian and the frontal lobe.

METHODSForty-two patients with moderate depression at the first attack in line with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed) by American Psychiatric Association were assigned to the fluoxetine group, the needling + fluoxetine group, and the needling group, 14 in each. The therapeutic course for them all was one month. Resting fMRI scanning was performed before and after treatment using 3.0 T magnetic resonance. Data were analyzed using fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (fALFF). Paired t-test was used for comparison. Correlation analysis was performed in the fALFF images after treatment and Hamilton's depression scale.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment, fALFF values in the left frontal lobe (BA6, BA9, BA48), the right frontal lobe (BA4, BA46), the bilateral inferior parietal lobules (BA40, BA48), the precuneus (BA7), the posterior cingutate (BA31), the left occipital lobe (BA17), and the right occipital lobe (BA18) of the needling +fluoxetine group were lowered (P<0.05). fALFF values in the right inferior parietal lobule (BA40) and the right occipital lobe (BA17) of the fluoxetine group were lowered (P<0.05). fALFF values in the left frontal lobe (BA10), the right frontal lobe (BA45), the left occipital lobe (BA19), the right occipital lobe (BA17), the left precuneus (BA7), and the posterior cingutate (BA31) were lowered in the needling group (P<0.05). Hamilton's depression scale was positively correlated with the fALFF value in the left frontal lobe of the needling +fluoxetine group and the needling group, while Hamilton's depression scale was positively correlated with the fALFF value in the left middle frontal gyrus, the left parietal lobe, and the left occipital lobe in the fluoxetine group.

CONCLUSIONSCombination of needling and antidepressive agents was superior to needling or antidepressive agents alone. Changes of the frontal lobe functions were correlated with the severity of depression. More extensive correlation existed between the liver meridian and the frontal lobe, which might be the antidepressive mechanism of needling Taichong (LV3).

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation ; therapeutic use ; Depressive Disorder ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Fluoxetine ; therapeutic use ; Frontal Lobe ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged