Objective To screen the effective acupoints for anti-depression in depression rats and to explore the mechanisms of acupuncture for relieving depression.Methods Fifty rats were randomly divided into normal control

model

"Yintang"(EX-HN 3)-"Baihui"(GV 20

2-acupoints)

EX-HN 3-GV 20-"Fengchi"(GB 20)-"Shenshu"(BL 23

4-acupoints)and medication groups

with 10 rats in each group.The depression model was established by unpredictable chronic mild stress(UCMS)for28days.For rats of the 2-acupoints and 4-acupoints groups

EX-HN 3and GV 20

and EX-HN 3

GV 20

GB 20 and BL 23 were punctured with filiform needles respectively before performing mild stress every time.The acupuncture needles were retained for30 min during each intervention and the treatment was conducted once daily for 28 days.The rats of the medication group were treated by intragastric administration of Fluoxetine(0.18mg/kg)once a day for 28 days.The rats' anxiety-like behavior(rearing and crossing times)was detected by open-field test.The contents of adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)in the pituitary

5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)in the hippocampus

the cortisol(CORT)in the adrenal gland

and the brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in the serum were examined by ELISA.Results Compared to the normal control group

the numbers of both rearing and crossing motions in the model group were significantly decreased(P<0.01

P<0.05)

while in comparison with the model group

the rearing and crossing numbers of rats in the 2-acupoints and 4-acupoints and medication groups were significantly increased(P<0.01).ELISA showed that after modeling

the content of adrenal CORT was significantly increased(P<0.01)

and those of hippocampal 5-HT and serum BDNF were obviously down-regulated in the model group(P<0.01).After the treatment

the adrenal CORT levels in the three intervention groups were notably down-regulated

and hippocampal 5-HT and serum BDNF evidently up-regulated in these 3intervention groups(P<0.05

P<0.01).No marked changes were found in the pituitary ACTH contents of the model and 3intervention groups(P>0.05)

and no significant differences were shown among the three intervention groups in the levels of the aforementioned 6indexes(P>0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture intervention can effectively improve the unprompted activates of the depression rats

which may be related to its effects in up-regulating hippocampal 5-HT and serum BDNF levels

and in down-regulating adrenal CORT content.