Ning B, Wang Z, He J, Wu Q, Deng Q, Yang Q, Gao J, Fu W, Deng Y, Wu B, Huang X, Mei J, Jiang F, Fu W. The rapid antidepressant effect of acupuncture on two animal models of depression by inhibiting M1-Ach receptors regulates synaptic plasticity in the prefrontal cortex.
Brain Res 2024;
1822:148609. [PMID:
37783259 DOI:
10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148609]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
It is unclear whether acupuncture has a rapid antidepressant effect and what is the main mechanism.
METHODS
In this study, forced swimming stress test (FST) in mice were divided into five groups: control group, acupuncture group, scopolamine group, arecoline group, and acupuncture + arecoline group. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model rats were divided into six groups: naïve (non-CUMS) group, CUMS group, acupuncture group, scopolamine group, arecoline group, and acupuncture + arecoline group. Twenty-four hours after the end of treatment, FST was conducted in mice and rats. The expression of M1-AchR, AMPA receptors (GluR1 and GluR2), BDNF, mTOR, p-mTOR, synapsin I, and PSD95 in the prefrontal cortex was determined by western blot. The spine density of neurons in the prefrontal cortex was detected by golgi staining.
RESULTS
The results showed that acupuncture reduced the immobility time of FST in two depression models. Acupuncture inhibited the expression of M1-AchR and promoted the expression of GluR1, GluR2, BDNF, p-mTOR, synapsin I, PSD95, and increased the density of neuron dendritic spine in the prefrontal cortex.
CONCLUSIONS
The rapid antidepressant effect of acupuncture may be activating the "glutamate tide" - AMPA receptor activation - BDNF release - mTORC1 pathway activation through inhibiting the expression of M1-AchR in the prefrontal cortex, thereby increasing the expression of synaptic proteins and regulating synaptic plasticity.
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