Effects Of Electroacupuncture At The "Siguan" Acupoints On Colonic 5-hydroxytryptamine And Short-chain Fatty Acids In Rats With Post-stroke Depressio

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture at Siguan acupoints on behavior,colon5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)and short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)in rats with post-stroke depression(PSD),and to explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture at Siguan acupoints in the treatment of post-stroke depression.Methods: Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,stroke group,PSD group,drug group and electroacupuncture group,with 10 rats in each group.The stroke model was prepared by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)in the stroke group.Except for the sham operation group,the rats in the other groups were treated with MCAO combined with solitary and chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)to prepare PSD model.The electroacupuncture group was given electroacupuncture at ’ Hegu ’ and ’ Taichong ’,with dilatational wave,frequency 10 Hz/50 Hz,30 min each time,once a day for 3 weeks,and distilled water(0.01 L · kg-1 · d-1)was given by gavage.The drug group was given fluoxetine solution(2.33 mg · kg-1 · d-1)by gavage once a day for 3 weeks.The sham operation group,stroke group and PSD group were given the same fixed restraint and distilled water.Before stroke modeling,after PSD modeling and after 21 days of intervention,the consumption of sugar water and the scores of horizontal movement and vertical movement in open box test were observed.After 21 days of intervention,the level of 5-HT in colon was detected by immunohistochemical SP method,and the content of short chain fatty acids in feces was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.Results: Before stroke modeling,there was no significant difference in sucrose consumption,horizontal movement score and vertical movement score in open box test among the groups(P >0.05).After PSD modeling,compared with the sham operation group,the sucrose consumption,the horizontal and vertical movement scores of the open box test in the stroke group,PSD group,drug group and electroacupuncture group were decreased(P < 0.05).After 21 days of intervention,compared with PSD group,the consumption of sugar water and the scores of horizontal movement and vertical movement in open box test in drug group and electroacupuncture group increased(P< 0.05).The horizontal movement score of the electroacupuncture group was lower than that of the drug group(P < 0.05).Compared with the sham operation group,the contents of total shortchain fatty acids and acetic acid in the feces of the stroke group decreased(P < 0.05),and the 5-HT level in the colon and the contents of total short-chain fatty acids,acetic acid,propionic acid and butyric acid in the feces of the PSD group decreased(P < 0.05).Compared with PSD group,the levels of 5-HT in colon and the contents of total short-chain fatty acids,acetic acid and propionic acid in feces were increased in drug group and electroacupuncture group(P < 0.05).The level of 5-HT in the colon of the electroacupuncture group was lower than that of the drug group(P < 0.05).There was a positive correlation between total short-chain fatty acids,propionic acid content and colonic 5-HT level(r = 0.424,P = 0.005;r = 0.427,P = 0.004).Conclusion: Electroacupuncture at Siguan acupoints can improve the symptoms of PSD rats,which may be related to the regulation of short-chain fatty acid content,thereby affecting the release of 5-HT in the colon.