Objective:To compare the therapeutic effects of acupuncture

medication and acupoint catgut-embedding in the treatment of depression.Methods:A total of 60 adult SD rats were randomly divided into normal

model

medication

acupuncture and catgut embedding groups

with 12 cases in each group.Depression model was duplicated by abrosia

abstinence of water

tail-clipping

swimming in cool water

electrical shock stimulation

etc continuously for 21 days.For rats of medication group

intrgastric administration of Fluoxetine hydrochloride(2 mg/kg)was performed;for those of acupuncture group

“Baihui”(GV 20)

“Xinshu”(BL 15)and “Ganshu”(BL 17)were punctured and stimulated manually for 30 s.The treatment in the abovementioned 2 groups was carried out once daily

21 days altogether.For those of catgut embedding group

a piece of sterilized catgut(gauge-0

0.5 cm long)was implanted into the subcutaneous tissue of the acupoints(GV 20

BL 15 and BL 17)

once every week

3 times altogether.Changes of behavior(locomotor activity

crossing and rearing movement)were detected with open-field test

and sucrose consumption in 24 h was recorded.Results:Compared with normal group

the times of crossing and rearing movement in model group decreased significantly from the 7th day on after modeling

as well as sucrose consumption in 24 h decreased significantly from the 14th day on(P<0.05

0.01)

while in comparison with model group

the times of crossing and rearing movement increased significantly on the 14th day in acupuncture and catgut embedding groups and 21st day on all the 3 treatment groups(P<0.05

0.01);correspondingly

sucrose consumption in 24 h increased considerably from the 14th day on in catgut embedding group and on the 21st day in acupuncture and catgut embedding groups(P<0.05

0.01).There were no significant differences among 3 treatment groups in the locomotor activity and sucrose consumption 21 days after the treatment(P>0.05).Conclusion:Administration of Fluoxetine hydrochloride

acupuncture and catgut embedding all can improve the depression rats' locomotor behavior and sucrose solution consumption in 24 h.Thus acupoint catgut embedding method may be applicable in clinical treatment of depression.