Role of AC-cAMP-PKA Cascade in Antidepressant Action of Electroacupuncture Treatment in Rats

Jian-Hua Liu,Shuo Jiang,Li Jiang,Jian Sun,Zhi-Feng Wu,Wen-Bin Fu

doi:10.1155/2012/932414

Abstract

Adenylyl cyclase (AC)-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) cascade is considered to be associated with the pathogenesis and treatment of depression. The present study was conducted to explore the role of the cAMP cascade in antidepressant action of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment for chronic mild stress (CMS)-induced depression model rats. The results showed that EA improved significantly behavior symptoms in depression and dysfunction of AC-cAMP-PKA signal transduction pathway induced by CMS, which was as effective as fluoxetine. Moreover, the antidepressant effects of EA rather than Fluoxetine were completely abolished by H89, a specific PKA inhibitor. Consequently, EA has a significant antidepressant treatment in CMS-induced depression model rats, and AC-cAMP-PKA signal transduction pathway is crucial for it.

Highlights

Depression is a common and disabling illness affecting a rising percentage of the world’s population
We investigate the antidepressant effect of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment in chronic mild stress (CMS)-induced depression model rats and the role of Adenylyl cyclase (AC)-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-protein kinase A (PKA) postreceptor signal transduction pathway
The results showed that CMS induced obvious behavior deficits and decrease in sucrose intake, which were reversed by EA or fluoxetine, suggesting that EA may be as effective as antidepressants in treating depression

Summary

Introduction

Depression is a common and disabling illness affecting a rising percentage of the world’s population. Significant progress has been made in pharmacological treatment for depression over the past several decades, currently available chemical antidepressants, which exhibit 60–70% effective rate only [2], have severe side effects [3] and call for alternative treatment [4]. Acupuncture has been applied in the clinic to treat depression for a long time, and Siguan acupoints, including LI4 (Hegu) and LR3 (Taichong) acupoints, are classic acupoints in the antidepressant treatment of acupuncture. Evidence from clinical and experimental studies have indicated that acupuncture may alleviate the symptoms of depression [5,6,7].

Methods

Results

Conclusion