Evidence Details for Aif1
PMID Title Journal Year Abstract
29946236 Electro-Acupuncture Alleviates Chronic Unpredictable Stress-Induced Depressive- and Anxiety-Like Behavior and Hippocampal Neuroinflammation in Rat Model of Depression. Front Mol Neurosci. 2018 May 31;11:149. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00149. eCollection 2018. 2018 Depression is the second leading cause of disability worldwide. The effects of clinical depression may be mediated by neuroinflammation such as activation of microglia and high levels of proinflammatory cytokines in certain brain areas. Traditional Chinese medicine techniques such as electro-acupuncture (EA) are used extensively in Asia to treat mental health disorders. However, EA has not been rigorously studied in treatment of depression. This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of EA on depressive-like behavior and explore the role of hippocampal neuroinflammation in the potential antidepressant effect of EA. In this study, we used six chronic unpredictable stressors daily in a random sequence for 10 weeks. EA were performed on ""Bai-Hui"" (Du-20) (+) and ""Yang-Ling-Quan"" (GB-34, the right side; -) acupoints by an EA apparatus (HANS Electronic Apparatus, LH202H, 2/100 Hz, 0.3 mA) for 30 min once every other day for last 4 weeks. The behavior tests including open field test and forced swimming test, which are widely used to assess depressive and anxiety-like behavior were performed on the Monday and Tuesday of the eleventh week. The results showed that 10 week of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) caused behavioral deficits in rats and neuroinflammation in hippocampus, such as increased expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components, upregulated mRNA level of IL-1beta and the protein level of IL-1beta mature form (p17) and activation of microglia. Moreover, 4 weeks of EA treatment significantly attenuated behavioral deficits caused by CUS. EA's antidepressant effect was accompanied by markedly decreased expression of certain NLRP3 inflammasome components and matured IL-1beta. Meanwhile, EA treatment can significantly reverse CUS-induced increases in P2X7 receptor, Iba-1, IL-18, TNFalpha and IL-6 expression and decreases in GFAP expression. In conclusion, EA exhibited the antidepressant effect and alleviated the hippocampal neuroinflammation. These findings may provide insight into the role of hippocampal neuroinflammation in the antidepressant effect of EA."

Evidence Sentence: Here, we used the microglia marker, Iba1, to evaluate microglia activation.
Evidence Sentence: As shown in Figures 5B,E,G, after exposure to CUS, the mRNA (F(3,12) = 14.91, p < 0.001) and protein levels (F(3,12) = 32.89, p < 0.001) of hippocampal Iba1 in the hippocampus were significantly increased as compared to the Normal group.
Evidence Sentence: Meanwhile, EA treatment significantly decreased the mRNA and protein level of Iba1 in the hippocampus (Figures 5B,E).
Evidence Sentence: Interestingly, Sham-EA treatment also significantly downregulated the mRNA level of Iba1 (F(3,12) = 14.91, p < 0.01) but not the protein level (F(3,12) = 14.91, p = 0.062) as compared with the CUS group (Figures 5B,E).
Evidence Sentence: Meanwhile, EA treatment can significantly reverse CUS-induced increases in P2X7 receptor, Iba-1, IL-18, TNFalpha and IL-6 expression and decreases in GFAP expression.
Evidence Sentence: CUS-Induced Changes of P2X7R, Iba-1 and GFAP Expression in the Hippocampus Is Regulated by EA Treatment