Molecular-level effects of acupuncture on depression: a genome-wide transcriptome analysis of pituitary gland in rats exposed to chronic restraint stress

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

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.

Danggui Buxue Decoction: Comparative pharmacokinetic research on six bio-active components in different states by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry after oral administration

Danggui Buxue Decoction is a classic formula containing Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix in a 5:1 ratio and has been extensively used to treat blood deficiency for thousands of years. The aim of the study was to investigate the differences in plasma protein binding, pharmacokinetics, and tissue distribution of Danggui Buxue Decoction in normal and blood-deficient rats by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The effects on peripheral blood routine were verified. The compounds exhibited higher plasma protein binding and absorption in the model group compared to the control group, except formononetin. The six ingredients were distributed widely, and the highest concentrations were detected in the heart and uterus. As has been demonstrated in the previous study of the effect of Danggui Buxue Decoction, its potential is to serve as an effective traditional Chinese medicine formula for treating cardiovascular diseases and impacting estrogenic properties, which reveals the potential target organs of Danggui Buxue Decoction the heart and uterus. Our findings suggested that the absorption and distribution of different components in Danggui Buxue Decoction varies depending on the pathological state, molecular weight, lipid solubility, transporter-mediated efflux, and other factors.

PET-CT and RNA sequencing reveal novel targets for acupuncture-induced lowering of blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Manual acupuncture (MA) can be used to manage high blood pressure; however, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unknown. To explore the mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of hypertension, Wistar Kyoto rats (WKYs) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were subjected to either MA stimulation or the corresponding sham procedure as a negative control (Sham-MA) for 1 week. PET-CT scans, transcriptomics and molecular biology were used to evaluate the effect of MA. The results show that MA can regulate blood pressure in SHRs, change the glucose metabolism of the paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH), and affect the mRNA and protein expression levels of differentially expressed genes in the PVH. These genes may lower blood pressure by regulating angiotensin, endothelial function and inflammation. These findings reveal that MA regulates multiple biological processes and genes/proteins of the PVH, and provide a solid theoretical basis for exploring the mechanisms by which MA regulates hypertension.