[Research progress on the mechanism of acupuncture in antidepressant effects by regulating astrocytes]

Astrocytes, as one of the major glial cells in the central nervous system, perform a wide range of homeostatic functions in the brain. A reduction in the number or dysfunction of astrocytes impairs neural homeostatic functions, thereby contributing to the occurrence and development of depression. Acupuncture has a proven efficacy in treating depression. Based on a large number of recent studies on the regulation of astrocytes by acupuncture for antidepressant effects, this paper reviews the mechanisms of acupuncture in treating depression from three aspects: improving the morphology and quantity of astrocytes, regulating astrocyte-neuron interactions, and modulating astrocyte-microglia crosstalk, and proposes directions for future research. It is expected to provide new insights for the targeted regulation of astrocytes in the treatment of depression.