Effects of Electro-acupuncture on Hypothalamic-PituitaryAdrenal Index and Corticotropin Releasing Hormone mRNA Expression of Rats with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

目的：观察电针对慢性疲劳大鼠模型下丘脑、垂体、肾上腺指数及下丘脑促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素（CRH）mRNA表达的影响，从神经内分泌角度探讨电针治疗慢性疲劳综合征（CFS）的作用机制。方法：模型组与电针组采用强制性冷水游泳的方法制作CFS大鼠模型，电针组在造模的同时在百会、足三里穴给予电针治疗。通过行为学检测对模型进行判定；采用称量法计算下丘脑、垂体、肾上腺指数；荧光定量聚合酶链反应法检测cRH mRNA含量。结果：模型组大鼠行为出现改变，产生了心理和躯体的疲劳状态。CFS大鼠下丘脑、垂体、肾上腺指数升高，下丘脑CRH mRNA的表达上升，经电针治疗后，其心理和躯体疲劳状态明显改善，肾上腺指数降低，下丘脑CRHmRNA的表达下降。结论：CFS与下丘脑、垂体、肾上腺指数及下丘脑CRHmRNA表达上调关系密切。电针可能通过下调体内下丘脑cRHmRNA的表达及降低肾上腺指数，以纠正异常的HPA轴功能来治疗CFS。

Objective： To investigate the mechanism of electroacupuncturein treating chronic fatigue syndrome（CFS） in term of the neuro-endocrine system by observing the regulative effect of EA on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal index （HPA index） and corticotropin releasing hormone mRNA （CRH mRNA） in CFS model rats. Methods： The rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, and electroacupuncture group. Model and electroacupuncture groups were forced to swim in cold water to make CFS model, while rats in electroacupuncture group were treated with electroacupuncture treatment at the same time. Electroacupuncture group was given at Baihui（GV 20） and Zusanli（ST 36）. Evaluation of the model was processed according to the behavior changes of the rats. Hypothalamic, pituitary, and adrenal were weighted to calculate HPA index. CRH mRNA in hypothalamic was measured by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （FQPCR）. Results： The model rats had behavior changes, and both physical and mental fatigue was observed. HPA index raised and expression of CRH mRNA in hypothalamus increased in CFS rats. After electroacupuncture treatment, the physical and mental fatigue was improved, and the hypothalamic index and CRH mRNA decreased significantly, while the pituitary and adrenal index only had little decrease. Conclusion： Cold water swim press could mimic the pathogenesis and make similar manifestations in rats with the common clinical symptoms. CFS has close relationship with increase of HPA index and CRH mRNA expression. Electroacupuncture can regulate the function of HPA axis to deal with CFS.