Effects of Electroacupuncture on Depressive-like Behavior and Serum 5-HT in the Chronic Forced Swim Stress Model Rats

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture( EA) on depressive- like behavior and serum 5- hydroxytryptamine( 5- HT) of the chronic forced swim stress model rats. Methods: 40 male SD rats were evenly randomized into normal control,model,fluoxetine and EA groups. The chronic stress rat model was established by chronic forced swim. The behaviors were evaluated by body weight,open field test and sucrose intake test,the serum 5- HT was detected by ELISA. Results: Compared with the control group,the body weight,crossings and rearings in the open field test,the sucrose intake,and the serum 5- HT of model group were decreased significantly( P 0. 05). Compared with the model group,the body weight,crossings and rearings in the open field test,the sucrose intake,and the serum 5- HT of fluoxetine group and EA group were all increased significantly( P 0. 05). But there was no significant difference between EA group and fluoxetine group( P 0. 05). Conclusion: Electroacupuncture can improve the model rats' depressive- like behaviors which are caused by chronic forced swim stress,and may increase the serum 5- HT of the model rats. Hereby,electroacupuncture may have anti- depressive effects.