Title: Expression of Caspase-3 mRNA in frontal cortex and hippocampus of chronic stress-induced depression rats treated by electro-acupuncture
Abstract: Objective
To observe the expression of Caspase-3 mRNA in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of chronic stress-induced depression rats, and to detect the machnisms of antidepression by electro-acupuncture.
Methods
Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group, model group, model+ electro-acupuncture group and model+ paroxetine group, 12 rats in each group.Open-field test was used to observe the changes of movements, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-PCR) method was used to detect Caspase-3 mRNA levels in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.
Results
①Open-field test: after stress, compared with control group rats, the model group rats' crossing numbers(29±7), rearing times(6±2) were apparently less than those of control group((66±13), (10±2); P 0.05). In comparison with model group, the crossing times and rearing times being increasing in degree in electro-acupuncture group((61±9), (13±1)) and paroxetine group((39±10), (8±1), P 0.05). ② Compared with the control group, Caspase-3 mRNA in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus significantly increased in model group(P 0.05).
Conclusion
Chronic stress can increase the expression of Caspase-3 mRNA in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of chronic stress-induced depression rats, while electro-acupuncture can decrease the expression of caspase-3 mRNA, which may be an important way to anti-depression by electro-acupuncture.
Key words:
Depression; Chronic stress; Electro-acupuncture; Caspase-3 mRNA; Apoptosis
Publication Year: 2016
Publication Date: 2016-02-20
Language: en
Type: article
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