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Acupuncture alleviates CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors of rats by regulating oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and ferroptosis

Shen J 1 , Hao C 2 , Yuan S 3 , Chen W 4 , Tong T 2 , Chen Y 5 Show all authors , Shahzad Aslam M 6 , Yan S 1 , Li J 2 , Zeng J 1 , Liu S 3 , Chen Y 1 , Jiang Y 1 , Li P 7 , Meng X 8

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR China
  • 2 Second Clinical College, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, Shanxi, PR China
  • 3 Longyan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Xiamen University, Longyan, Fujian, PR China
  • 4 The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
  • 5 First Clinical College, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, Yunnan, PR China
  • 6 School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiamen University Malaysia, Sepang, Malaysia
  • 7 Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China. Electronic address: doctorlip@163.com
  • 8 Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR China. Electronic address: mengxianjun@xmu.edu.cn
Brain Res, 2024 Mar 01;1826:148715.
PMID: 38142722 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148715

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The treatment of depression with acupuncture has been documented. The mechanism behind acupuncture's curative and preventative effects is still unknown.

METHODS: The current study examined the effects of acupuncture on depression-like behaviors in a rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), while also exploring its potential mechanisms. A total of six groups of rats were randomly assigned: control, CUMS, acupuncture, fluoxetine, acupoint catgut embedding and sham acupoint catgut embedding. Fluoxetine (2.1 mg/kg) and acupoint catgut embedding were used for comparative research to acupuncture. The modelling evaluation is measured by body weight and behavior tests. Western blotting and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the proteins and mRNA expression of Silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1)/ nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/ heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)/ Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway in the hippocampus. The expression of oxidative stress (OS)-related proteins and inflammatory cytokines in the serum was detected with ELISA. Immunofluorescence showed microglia and astrocytes activity in the hippocampus.

RESULTS: Acupuncture and fluoxetine could alleviate CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors. Acupuncture was also found to effectively reverse the levels of MDA, SOD, GSH, GSH-PX and T-AOC, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the serum of CUMS-induced rats. Rats with CUMS showed decreased levels of Sirt1, Nrf2, HO-1 and GPX4 in the hippocampus, while acupuncture treatment could partly reverse the diminished effects. In addition, acupuncture treatment significantly reduced the activation of hippocampal microglia and astrocytes in CUMS-induced rats.

CONCLUSION: The study's findings indicate that acupuncture has the potential to mitigate depression-like behaviors in rats induced with CUMS by mitigating OS and reducing neuroinflammation.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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