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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats
Published on: February 22, 2018
[Effects of different intervention methods on behavior changes in depression rats]
Li-Xing Zhuang1, Shi-Fen Xu, Tang Chun-Zhi
1Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China.
Objective:
To compare the therapeutic effects of acupuncture, medication and acupoint catgut-embedding in the treatment of depression.
Methods:
A total of 60 adult SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, medication, acupuncture and catgut embedding groups, with 12 cases in each group. Depression model was duplicated by abrosia, abstinence of water, tail-clipping, swimming in cool water, electrical shock stimulation, etc continuously for 21 days. For rats of medication group, intrgastric administration of Fluoxetine hydrochloride (2 mg/kg) was performed; for those of acupuncture group, "Baihui" mentioned 2 groups was carried out once daily, 21 days altogether. For those of catgut embedding group, a piece of sterilized cat-week, 3 times altogether. Changes of behavior (locomotor activity, crossing and rearing movement) were detected with open-field test, and sucrose consumption in 24 h was recorded.
Results:
Compared with normal group, the times of crossing and rearing movement in model group decreased significantly from the 7th day on after modeling, as well as sucrose consumption in 24 h decreased significantly from the 14th day on (P < 0.05, 0.01), while in comparison with model group, the times of crossing and rearing movement increased significantly on the 14th day in acupuncture and catgut embedding groups and 21st day on all the 3 treatment groups (P < 0.05, 0.01); correspondingly, sucrose consumption in 24 h increased considerably from the 14th day on in catgut embedding group and on the 21st day in acupuncture and catgut embedding groups (P < 0.05, 0.01). There were no significant differences among 3 treatment groups in the locomotor activity and sucrose consumption 21 days after the treatment (P > 0.05).
Conclusion:
Administration of Fluoxetine hydrochloride, acupuncture and catgut embedding all can improve the depression rats' locomotor behavior and sucrose solution consumption in 24 h. Thus acupoint catgut embedding method may be applicable in clinical treatment of depression.
