Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture on endoplasmic reticulum stress-related molecules glucose regulated protein 78 kD(GRP78)

C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP)

cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-12(Caspase-12) and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3(Caspase-3)in the hippocampus of rats with post-traumatic stress disorder

so as to explore the possible mechanism of acupuncture in treating post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD). Methods Twenty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into normal control

model

acupuncture and sertraline groups

with 7 rats in each group. The PTSD rat model was established by single prolonged stress. After modeling

acupuncture was applied to “Baihui”(GV20) and “Dazhui”(GV14) for rats of the acupuncture group for 10 min

once a day for 7 days. Sertraline(10 mg/kg) was given by gavage to rats of the sertraline group daily for 7 days. Rats' behavior was assessed by open field test and novelty-suppressed test. The mRNA expression levels of GRP78 and CHOP in the hippocampus were detected by real-time PCR. The expression le-vels of Caspase-12 and Caspase-3 in the hippocampus were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with the normal control group

the rearing and crossing times were decreased(P<0.05)

the time remaining in the central zone and the total distance of movement were significantly reduced(P<0.01

P<0.05)

the time of entering the central area for the first time was significantly increased(P<0.01)

the latency of the novelty-suppressed feeding was significantly increased(P<0.05) in the model group

meanwhile the expression level of GRP78 and CHOP mRNAs

Caspase-12 and Caspase-3 proteins in the hippocampus were increased(P<0.05

P<0.01). In comparison with the model group

the crossing times

the time remaining in the central zone and total distance of movement were increased significantly(P<0.05

P<0.01)

while the time of entering the central area for the first time

the expression levels of GRP78 and CHOP mRNAs

and Caspase-12 protein in the hippocampus were obviously decreased(P<0.05

P<0.01) in the acupuncture and sertraline groups. In addition

the rearing times were increased significantly(P<0.05)

the latency of the novelty-suppressed feeding and the expression of Caspase-3 were decreased significantly(P<0.05) in the sertraline group than in the model group. Conclusion Acupuncture can significantly down-regulate the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related molecules GRP78

CHOP and Caspase-12 in PTSD rats

which may be one of the mechanisms of acupuncture in treating PTSD.