2. Academic Validation
  3. Lateral hypothalamic orexin neurons mediate electroacupuncture-induced anxiolytic effects in a rat model of post-traumatic stress disorder

Lateral hypothalamic orexin neurons mediate electroacupuncture-induced anxiolytic effects in a rat model of post-traumatic stress disorder

  • Brain Res Bull. 2023 Jul 20;201:110712. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.110712.
Jiaqi Lu 1,  Chuan Qin 1,  Can Wang 1,  Jia Sun 1,  Huijuan Mao 1,  Jianzi Wei 1,  Xueyong Shen 1,  Yang Chen 2,  Sheng Liu 3,  Xiaoyi Qu 4
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
  • 2 College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 3 School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 4 School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 37481143 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.110712
Abstract

The lateral hypothalamus' orexinergic system has been associated with anxiety-related behaviors, and electroacupuncture (EA) modifies orexin neurons to control the anti-anxiety process. However, in a rat model of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the important role of LH orexin neurons (OXNs) in the anxiolytic effects induced by EA has not been explored. In this study, rats underwent modified single prolonged stress (MSPS) for seven days before developing EA. The rats were then subjected to elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field (OFT) tests, and western blot and c-Fos/orexin double labeling investigations were carried out to determine the functional activation of LH orexinergic neurons. Compared to MSPS model rats, it has been demonstrated that EA stimulation enhanced the amount of time spent in the central zone (TSCZ) in OFT and the amount of time spent in the open arm (TSOA) in EPM in MSPS model rats (P < 0.01). After behavioral testing, MSPS model rats had decreased activated c-Fos positive OXNs. Still, EA in SPS rats increased that number and elevated orexin type 1 receptors (OXR1) protein expression in the LH. Furthermore, after administering SB334867 (an OXR1 antagonist) to MSPS model rats, the effects of EA therapy on anxiety-like behaviors (ALBs) were significantly diminished. Additionally, when low-dose orexin-A (LORXA) was administered intracerebroventricularly together with EA stimulation in MSPS rats, the anxiolytic effects of the stimulation were substantially enhanced (P < 0.05). The results of this study reveal the mechanisms by which acupuncture may reduce PTSD and advance our understanding of the function of LH orexin signaling in EA's anxiolytic effects.

Keywords

Anxiolytic; Electroacupuncture; Lateral hypothalamus; Orexin; Post-traumatic stress disorder.

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