Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on the expression of blood-brain barrier(BBB)-related functional protein

ATP-binding cassette protein and gene in the cerebral cortex of depression rats.Methods Forty SD rats were equally and randomly divided into control group

EA group

depressive(model) group and depression+EA group.The depression model was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress.EA(2 Hz

1 mA) was applied to "Baihui"(GV 20) and "Yamen"(GV 15) for 20 min

once daily for 14 days.The expression levels of multidrug resistance(Mdr)1a

Mdr 1b

multidrug resistance-associated protein(Mrp)1

Mrp 4

Mrp 5

and breast cancer resistance protein(Bcrp) gene and proteins in the cerebral cortex tissue were detected by RT-PCR semi-quantitative analysis and Western blot

respectively.Results In comparison with the control group

no obvious changes were found in the expression levels of cerebral Mdr 1a

Mdr 1b

Mrp 1

Mrp 4

Mrp 5 and Bcrp genes and proteins in the model group(P>0.05)

and only cerebral Mdr 1a gene and protein expression levels in the EA group were evidently down-regulated(P<0.01

P<0.05).Compared with the model group

only cerebral Mdr 1a gene and protein expression levels were obviously decreased in the depression+EA group(P<0.01

P<0.05).No significant changes were found in the Mdr 1b

Mrp 1

Mrp 4

Mrp 5 and Bcrp genes and proteins after EA intervention in depression rats(P>0.05).Conclusion EA of GV 20 and GV 15 can obviously down-regulate the expression of cerebral Mdr 1a in depression rats which might be involved in the opening activity of blood-brain barrier.