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This study investigated the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the depression-like behaviors in a mouse model of chronic restraint stress (CRS) and to explored the underlying neural mechanisms.Depression-like behaviors including sucrose preference test (SPT), open field test (OFT) and tail suspension test (TST) were carried out to evaluate the effects of CRS and EA treatment. Immunohistochemistry was performed to measure the expression of c-Fos. The Nucleus Accumbens Shell (NAc Shell) in C57BL/6J mice were activated or inhibited using Chemogenetic manipulation.All the CRS stimulated groups showed lower sucrose preference in the SPT and decreased center times in the OFT, as well as increased immobility time in the TST when compared to the normal control and a lower time of central in the OFT. However, the immobility time was increased in the TST. Interestingly, EA at LR3 or HT7 exerted anti-depressant effects, and LR3 EA exhibited a more significant restoration than HT7. can significantly improve CRS-induced depressive-like behaviors, as compared to HT7. Furthermore, EA at LR3 increased expression of c-Fos in the NAc shell. Chemogenetic inhibition of NAc Shell blocked the effects of EA, whereas enhancement of NAc Shell activity by Chemogenetic profoundly reversed depressive phenotypes.EA treatment at LR3 was effective in alleviating the depressive-like behaviors, and this therapeutic effect was associated with the activation of NAc shell. Collectively, these findings revealed that EA may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for depression. |
