Objectives: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the changes of behavior and hippocampal inflammatory factors in rats with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), so as to explore its possible mechanisms in the treatment of CFS.
Methods: Twenty-seven SD rats were randomly divided into control, model and electroacupuncture (EA) groups (n=9 rats in each group). The CFS model was established by multi-factor compound stress stimulation method. Rats of the EA group received EA (10 Hz) at "Shenting" (GV24) penetrating "Baihui" (GV20), "Dazhui" (GV14) for 15 min, twice a day for 14 days. The general conditions, Morris water maze test, open field test, the exhausted running platform were conducted for determining the rats' locomotor and learning-memory activities. H.E. staining was used to observe the morphological structure of neurons in hippocampal CA1 region. The contents of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-17 and transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 in hippocampus and serum of rats were detected by ELISA, and the positive expressions of IL-10, IL-17 and TGF-β1 in hippocampal CA1 region were detected by immunofluorescence staining.
Results: Compared with the control group, the score of general condition was increased (P<0.05), the escape latency was prolonged (P<0.05), the number of crossing the original platform was decreased (P<0.05), the numbers of crossing the grid and entering the central area were increased (P<0.05), and the exhaustive treadmill time was shortened (P<0.05) in the model group. The contents of IL-10 in the hippocampus and serum were decreased (P<0.05), while IL-17 and TGF-β1 contents were increased (P<0.05). The immunofluorescence intensity of IL-10 in the hippocampus was decreased (P<0.05), while the intensity of IL-17 and TGF-β1 were increased (P<0.05). After treatment, compared with the model group, the score of general condition was decreased (P<0.05), the escape latency was shortened (P<0.05), the number of crossing the original platform was increased (P<0.05), the numbers of crossing the grid and entering the central area were decreased (P<0.05), and the exhaustive treadmill time was prolonged (P<0.05) in the EA group. The contents of IL-10 in the hippocampus and serum were increased (P<0.05), while IL-17 and TGF-β1 levels were decreased (P<0.05). The immunofluorescence intensity of IL-10 in the hippocampus was increased (P<0.05), while the intensity of IL-17 and TGF-β1 were decreased (P<0.05). H.E. staining showed that in the model group, the number of neurons in the hippocampus decreased, with disordered arrangement and loose structure, and a small numbers of neuronal nuclei were missing. The degree of tissue damage of the EA group was milder than that of the model group.
Conclusions: EA can alleviate fatigue and spatial learning and memory impairment in CFS rats, which may be related to the regulation of peripheral and central inflammation.
目的: 观察电针对慢性疲劳综合征（CFS）大鼠行为学及海马炎性因子变化的影响，探讨电针治疗CFS的作用机制。方法: SD大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组和电针组，每组9只。采用改良慢性多因素复合应激刺激法复制CFS模型。电针组大鼠电针“神庭”透刺“百会”和“大椎”，15 min/次，每日2次，治疗14 d。用实验大鼠一般情况半定量评分评估大鼠一般状态，Morris水迷宫实验评价大鼠学习记忆能力，旷场实验评价大鼠焦虑抑郁状态，力竭跑台时间评估大鼠疲劳情况，HE染色法观察大鼠海马CA1区神经元形态结构，ELISA法检测大鼠海马和血清中白细胞介素（IL）-10、IL-17、转化生长因子（TGF）-β1含量，免疫荧光染色法检测海马CA1区IL-10、IL-17、TGF-β1表达。结果: 与对照组比较，模型组大鼠一般情况半定量评分升高（P<0.05），逃避潜伏期延长（P<0.05），穿越原平台次数减少（P<0.05），穿格次数及进入中央区次数增加（P<0.05），力竭跑台时间缩短（P<0.05）；模型组海马区神经元数量减少，排列紊乱，结构疏松，少量神经元细胞核缺失；模型组海马和血清中的IL-10含量降低（P<0.05），IL-17、TGF-β1含量升高（P<0.05）；模型组海马中的IL-10免疫荧光强度降低（P<0.05），IL-17、TGF-β1免疫荧光强度升高（P<0.05）。与模型组比较，电针组大鼠一般情况半定量评分降低（P<0.05），逃避潜伏期缩短（P<0.05），穿越原平台次数增多（P<0.05），穿格次数及进入中央区次数减少（P<0.05），力竭跑台时间延长（P<0.05）；电针组海马神经元数量增加，排列整齐，结构较紧密，坏死神经元减少；电针组海马和血清中的IL-10含量升高（P<0.05），IL-17、TGF-β1含量降低（P<0.05）；电针组海马IL-10免疫荧光强度升高（P<0.05），IL-17、TGF-β1免疫荧光强度降低（P<0.05）。结论: 电针可缓解CFS大鼠疲劳程度，提高空间学习、记忆能力，可能与调节外周及中枢炎性因子有关。.
Keywords: Chronic fatigue syndrome; Electroacupuncture; Inflammatory factor.