Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion interventions on ethology and 5-HT/5-HIAA levels in the frontal cortex tissue in depression rats

so as to reveal their biological mechanisms underlying improvement of depression.Methods A total of 40 male SD rats were randomized into normal control

depression model

medication(Fluoxetine)

acupuncture and moxibustion groups

with 8rats in each group.The depression model was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress for 5weeks.The interventions including acupuncture or moxibustion stimulation of"Baihui"(GV 20)and"Dazhui"(GV14)for 20min/d and intragastric administration of Fluoxetine(1.8mg·kg-1·d-1)beginning after 2weeks of modeling for 3weeks.The percentages of sucrose consumption was counted

the contents of 5-HT

hydroxyindole acetic acid(5-HIAA)

tryptophan(Trp)in the prefrontal cortex tissue were assayed by radioimmunoassay

and the relative binding affinities(constant and capacity)of 5-HT1 Areceptor in the prefrontal cortex were measured by radioligand binding assay and Scatchard plot analysis in a computer.Results In comparison with the normal control group

the sucrose consumption percentage on the 35 th day of modeling

the levels of cerebral cortical 5-HT

5-HT/5-HIAA and 5-HT1 Areceptor binding constant were significantly down-regulated in the model group(P<0.01

P<0.05)

and the cortical Trp content was obviously up-regulated in the model group(P<0.01).Compared with the model group

the sucrose consumption percentage on the 35 th day of modeling

and cortical 5-HT/5-HIAA in the medication

acupuncture and moxibustion groups

cortical 5-HT content in the medication group were significantly increased(P<0.01

P<0.05)

and cortical 5-HIAA and Trp contents were obviously down-regulated in the three treatment groups(P<0.01).No significant changes were found in the cortical 5-HT content after acupuncture and moxibustion

and in the high and lower affinity of 5-HT1 Areceptor binding constant and binding capacity after medication

acupuncture and moxibustion interventions(P>0.05).The effects of acupuncture and moxibustion interventions were comparable in increasing sucrose consumption percentage on the 35 th day and 5-HT/5-HIAA

and in down-regulating cortical Trp content(P>0.05).Conclusion Both acupuncture and moxibustion can increase sucrose consumption(anti-depression)in depression rats

which may be closely associated with their effects in up-regulating 5-HT/5-HIAA and down-regulating Trp content in the frontal cortex.