Effect of Electroacupuncture on Reuptake of Serotonin via miRNA-16 Expression in a Rat Model of Depression

Jun Zhao; Huiling Tian; Hongtao Song; Xu Wang; Tong Luo; Liya Ai; Yumin Fang; Jianghao Zhao; Saiyin Chao-Ke-Tu; Zhigang Li

doi:10.1155/2019/7124318

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Reuptake of Serotonin via miRNA-16 Expression in a Rat Model of Depression

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019 Dec 23:2019:7124318. doi: 10.1155/2019/7124318. eCollection 2019.

Authors

Jun Zhao¹, Huiling Tian¹, Hongtao Song², Xu Wang³, Tong Luo¹, Liya Ai⁴, Yumin Fang¹, Jianghao Zhao⁵, Saiyin Chao-Ke-Tu⁴, Zhigang Li¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
² Inner Mongolia People's Hospital, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010010, China.
³ School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China.
⁴ Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Hospital, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010065, China.
⁵ School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Dongfang College, Langfang 065001, China.

Abstract

The current study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment applied to Bai hui (GV20) and Yin tang (GV29) acupoints (1 mA, 2 Hz, continuous wave, 20 minutes) for 28 days in a rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) on reuptake of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)) and miRNA-16 levels in the hippocampus and serum. Rats were housed in individual cages, and CUMS was used to establish a rat model of depression. After EA treatment for 4 weeks, behavioral changes and indices including 5-HT transporter (SERT), 5-HT, and miRNA-16 levels in the hippocampus and serum were examined. The EA treatment significantly improved base levels of sucrose preference and exploratory behavior and significantly decreased SERT protein and mRNA expression in the hippocampus of depressed rats. Significantly increased 5-HT levels were observed, and miRNA-16 levels were significantly decreased in the hippocampus and serum of depressed rats. In conclusion, the antidepressant effects of EA treatment may be affected via inhibition of 5-HT reuptake, upregulation of 5-HT levels, and inhibition of miRNA-16 expression in the hippocampus and serum.