神经营养因子受体TrkA、TrkB、TrkC和TrkE在参环毛蚓体内的分布

高亲和性神经营养因子受体Trk ,广泛存在分布于哺乳动物神经组织。研究表明 :随着动物进化程度的降低 ,亚型Trk受体的类型有所减少 ;在低等动物 ,关于环节动物 (Annelida)Trk受体存在与否、分布如何尚未见报道。以我国环节动物门典型代表参环毛蚓 (Pheretimaaspergillum)为研究对象 ,运用免疫细胞化学染色技术 ,在光镜下观察TrkA、TrkB、TrkC和TrkE阳性细胞和纤维的形态与分布。发现Trk存在于参环毛蚓的神经系统和非神经组织。各亚型分布有所差异 ,TrkA阳性神经细胞存在于咽下神经节和肠神经系 ,阳性神经纤维存在于腹神经索和肠神经系 ;TrkB阳性细胞存在于非神经组织的肠上皮 ;TrkC阳性神经细胞存在于脑、咽下神经节和肠神经细胞 ,阳性神经纤维存在于围咽神经环、腹神经索和肠神经系 ;TrkE阳性神经细胞存在于脑、阳性神经纤维存在于咽下神经节和腹神经索。上述研究结果表明 :Trk存在于进化程度较低的环节动物 ,Trk在进化上具有悠久的历史。各亚型Trk受体的不同分布提示不同部位的神经细胞受不同神经营养因子的作用。

Overexpression of lentivirus-mediated glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in bone marrow stromal cells and its neuroprotection for the PC12 cells damaged by lactacystin

Objective To construct recombinant lentiviral vectors for gene delivery of the glial cell line-derived neurotropnic factor （GDNF）, and evaluate the neuroprotective effect of GDNF on lactacystin-damaged PC12 cells by transfecting it into bone marrow stromal cells （BMSCs）. Methods pLenti6/V5-GDNF plasmid was set up by double restriction enzyme digestion and ligation, and then the plasmid was transformed into Top10 cells. Purified pLenti6/V5-GDNF plasmids from the positive clones and the packaging mixture were cotransfected to the 293FT packaging cell line by Lipofectamine2000 to produce lentivirus, then the concentrated virus was transduced to BMSCs. Overexpression of GDNF in BMSCs was tested by RT-PCR, ELISA and immunocytochemistry, and its neuroprotection for lactacystin-damaged PC12 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. Results Virus stock of GDNF was harvested with the titer of 5.6×10^5 TU/mL. After tmnsduction, GDNF-BMSCs successfully secreted GDNF to supematant with nigher concentration （800 pg/mL） than BMSCs did （less than 100 pg/mL）. The supematant of GDNF-BMSCs could significantly alleviate the damage of PC12 cells induced by lactacystin （10 μmol/L）. Conclusion Overexpression of lentivirus-mediated GDNF in the BMSCs cells can effectively protect PC12 cells from the injury by the proteasome inhibitor.

Beneficial effects of moderate voluntary physical exercise and its biological mechanisms on brain health

This article reviewed the beneficial effects of moderate voluntary physical exercise on brain health according to the studies on humans and animals, which includes improving psychological status and cognitive function, enhancing psychological well-being, decreasing the risks of Alzheimer＇s disease （AD） and dementia, and promoting the effects of antidepressant and anxiolytic. The possible underlying neurobiological mechanisms are involved up-active and down-active pathways. The up-active pathway is associated with enhancements of several neurotransmitters systems afferent to hippocampus, including norepinephrine （NE）, serotonin （5-Hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT）, acetylcholine （ACh） and γ-aminobutyric acid （GABA）. The down-active pathway is mainly concerned with up-regulation of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） and neurogenesis. It is suggested that NE activation via β-adrenergic receptors may be essential for exercise-induced BDNF up-regulation. The possible intracellular signaling pathways of NE-mediated BDNF up-expression may be involved in GPCR-MAPK-PI-3K crosstalk and positive feedback.

抗呆I号对体外模拟脑缺血再灌注损伤星形胶质细胞分泌功能的影响

目的:观察体外培养的大鼠大脑皮质星形胶质细胞(Ast)在模拟脑缺血再灌注后分泌脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)、胶质细胞源性神经营养因子(GDNF)、热休克蛋白70(HSP70)和白细胞介素6(IL-6)的变化以及中药抗呆Ⅰ号的影响。方法:实验于2002-03/2004-05在北京中医药大学完成。在大鼠大脑皮质Ast分离纯化培养的基础上体外模拟脑缺血再灌注,采用免疫细胞化学方法来观察受损Ast在缺血4h,再灌注3,18,24,36,48,72h后分泌BDNF,GDNF,HSP70和IL-6的动态变化及抗呆Ⅰ号的作用。结果:①体外培养的大鼠大脑皮质Ast在体外模拟脑缺血再灌注损伤后其分泌BDNF,GDNF,HSP70和IL-6的能力增强。②抗呆Ⅰ号可使受损Ast的分泌功能更加增强。结论:①体外模拟脑缺血再灌注使受损的Ast发生反应性胶质化,表现为分泌神经营养因子、炎性细胞因子及应激反应蛋白的能力增强。②抗呆Ⅰ号通过增强Ast的分泌功能来保护和修复受损的神经组织。

Effect of ciliary neurotrophic factor on activation of astrocytes in vitro

Objective To observe the activating effect of ciliary neurotrophic factor （CNTF） on astrocyte in vitro. Methods Astrocytes cultured purely from newborn rats. Cerebral cortex was raised in normal and serum deprivation condition with different concentrations （in ng/ml： 0, 2, 20, or 200） of CNTF. After cultured for 24 h, the shape and the cell cycle of astrocytes were examined by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometer, respectively. Results The immunoactivity of glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP） and the nuclear size of astrocytes were increased when CNTF was applied, whether cells were cultured in medium with or without serum. CNTF promoted astrocytes to enter the cell cycle in medium with serum, but had no this effect in medium without serum. Conclusion In medium without serum, astrocytes could differentiate into activated state ceils with CNTF application, but could not proliferate; in medium with serum, astrocytes could proliferate with aid of CNTF.

Effect of resuscitation after selective cerebral ultraprofound hypothermia on expressions of nerve growth factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in the brain of monkey

Objective To investigate the expression of nerve growth factor （NGF） and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor （GDNF） in monkeys of resuscitation after selective cerebral ultraprofound hypothermia and blood flow occlusion. Methods The monkeys were immediately removed brain after death in operation of group A （identical temperature perfusion group） and group B （ultraprofound hypothermia perfusion group）. Immunohistochemical technique was used to determine frontal cellular expression of NGF and GDNF. Statistics were analyzed by ANOVA analyses with significance level at P 〈 0.05. Results The expressions of NGF and GDNF in the group B were significantly higher than those in the group A （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion NGF and GDNF increased significantly in the monkeys of resuscitation after selective cerebral ultraprofound hypothermia and blood flow occlusion. It may be a protective mechanism for neuron survival and neural function recovery.

Effects of P2Y_1 receptor on glial fibrillary acidic protein and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor production of astrocytes under ischemic condition and the related signaling pathways

Objective The present study aimed to explore the role of P2Y1 receptor in glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP） production and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor （GDNF） secretion of astrocytes under ischemic insult and the related signaling pathways. Methods Using transient right middle cerebral artery occlusion （tMCAO） and oxygen-glucose-serum deprivation for 2 h as the model of ischemic injury in vivo and in vitro, immunofluorescence, quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）, Western blotting, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） were used to investigate location of P2Y1 receptor and GDNF, the expression of GFAP and GDNF, and the changes of signaling molecules. Results Blockage of P2Y1 receptor with the selective antagonist N^6-methyl-2′-deoxyadenosine 3′,5′-bisphosphate diammonium （MRS2179） reduced GFAP production and increased GDNF production in the antagonist group as compared with simple ischemic group both in vivo and in vitro. Oxygen-glucose-serum deprivation and blockage of P2Y1 receptor caused elevation of phosphorylated Akt and cAMP response element binding protein （CREB）, and reduction of phosphorylated Janus kinase2 （JAK2） and signal transducer and activator of transcription3 （STAT3, Ser727）. After blockage of P2Y1 receptor and deprivation of oxygen-glucose-serum, AG490 （inhibitor of JAK2） reduced phosphorylation of STAT3 （Ser727） as well as expression of GFAP; LY294002, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3-K）, decreased phosphorylation of Akt and CREB; the inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 （MEK 1/2） U0126, an important molecule of Ras/extracellular signal- regulated kinase （ERK） signaling pathway, decreased the phosphorylation of JAK2, STAT3 （Ser727）, Akt and CREB. Conclusion These results suggest that P2Y1 receptor plays a role in the production of GFAP and GDNF in astrocytes under transient ischemic condition and the related signaling pathways may be JAK2/STAT3 and PI3-K/Akt/CREB, respectively, and that crosstalk probably exists between them.

Acute exercise is associated with specific executive functions in college students with ADHD:A preliminary study

Purpose： The relationship between acute exercise and executive functions in college students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder （ADHD） has not been clearly established. The purpose of this preliminary study was to examine the difference in cognitive performance between college students with and without ADHD and to explore the effects of acute exercise on multiple aspects of executive functions and on serum brain derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）. Methods： College students （normal： n = 10; ADHD： n = 10） performed the Stroop Test, Trail Making Test, and Digit Span Test prior to and after an acute exercise intervention. Blood samples were obtained prior to the pre-test cognitive test performance and then again after exercise and prior to the post-test cognitive test performance. Results： Students with ADHD exhibited impaired executive functions, particularly on inhibition. Additionally, while acute exercise improved all aspects of executive functions in those without ADHD, acute exercise only improved inhibitory performance for those with ADHD. Further, BDNF was not influenced by acute exercise regardless of the subjects＇ ADHD status. Conclusion： These results provide preliminary evidence for exercise as a potential adjunct treatment for benefitting inhibition in college students with ADHD.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) as a potential mechanism of the effects of acute exercise on cognitive performance

The literature shows that improvements in cognitive performance may be observed following an acute bout of exercise. However, evidence in support of the biological mechanisms of this effect is still limited. Findings from both rodent and human studies suggest brain-derived neu- rotrophic factor （BDNF） as a potential mechanism of the effect of acute exercise on memory. The molecular properties of BDNF allow this protein to be assessed in the periphery （pBDNF） （i.e., blood serum, blood plasma）, making measurements of acute exercise-induced changes in BDNF concentration relatively accessible. Studies exploring the acute exercise--pBDNF--cognitive performance relationship have had mixed findings, but this may be more reflective of methodological differences between studies than it is a statement about the role of BDNE For example, significant associations have been observed between acute exercise-induced changes in pBDNF concentration and cognitive performance in studies assessing memory, and non-significant associations have been found in studies assessing non-memory cognitive domains. Three suggestions are made for future research aimed at understanding the role of BDNF as a biological mechanism of this relationship： 1） Assessments of cognitive performance may benefit from a focus on various types of memory （e.g., relational, spatial, long-term）; 2） More finegrained measurements of pBDNF will allow for the assessment of concentrations of specific isoforms of the BDNF protein （i.e., immature, mature）; 3） Statistical techniques designed to test the mediating role of pBDNF in the acute exercise-cognitive performance relationship should be utilized in order to make causal inferences.

Obesity promotes oxidative stress and exacerbates blood-brain barrier disruption after high-intensity exercise

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of obesity and high-intensity acute exercise on oxidant-antioxidant status,neurotrophic factor expression, and blood-brain barrier(BBB) disruption.Methods: Twenty-four healthy, untrained men(12 non-obese(mean 14.9% body fat) and 12 obese subjects(mean 29.8% body fat)) performed20 min of continuous submaximal aerobic exercise at 85% maximal oxygen consumption. Blood sampling was performed to examine the oxidant-antioxidant status(reactive oxygen species(ROS) and superoxide dismutase(SOD)), neurotrophic factors(brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) and nerve growth factor(NGF)), and BBB disruption(S100β and neuron-specific enolase) before and after acute exercise.Results: The obese group showed significantly higher pre-exercise serum ROS levels and significantly lower pre-exercise serum SOD levels than the non-obese group(p < 0.05). Serum ROS, SOD, BDNF, NGF, and S100β levels were significantly increased post-exercise compared with pre-exercise levels in both the non-obese and the obese groups(p < 0.05). The obese group showed significantly higher serum ROS, BDNF, NGF,and S100β levels post-exercise compared to the non-obese group(p < 0.05).Conclusion: Our study suggests that episodic vigorous exercise can increase oxidative stress and blood neurotrophic factor levels and induce disruption of the BBB. Moreover, high levels of neurotrophic factor in the blood after exercise in the obese group may be due to BBB disruption,and it is assumed that oxidative stress was the main cause of this BBB disruption.

Effect of neurotrophin-3 on SOD and MDA in rats after acute spinal cord injury

Objective:To investigate the effect of neurotrophin-3 on the expressions of SOD and MDA in the injured spinal cord of rats. Methods: Totally 105 SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 35): sham group, control group and experimental group. Animal model of acute spinal cord was inflicted with Allen's method by a thin plastic tube situated in subarachnoid space below the injury level for perfusion. Rats in experimental group received 20μl NT-3 (200 ng) from the tube at 0, 4. 8. 12. 24 h and 3. 7 d after injury, and those in control group got the equal volume of normal saline at the same time points. The animals in sham group only received opening vertebral plate and putting tube in subarachnoid space. The rats were sacrificed at 4, 8. 12. 24 h, and 3. 7, 14 d postinjury (n = 5). And the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in blood were observed with colorimetric method. Results: The serum level of SOD reduced obviously and the level of MDA raised obviously in rats after the injury, and the activity of SOD reached the lowest on day 3 and the concentration of MDA reached peak at the 7 d. In the experimental group, the SOD level was obviously higher (P<0. 01). and MDA level was lower than the control (P<0. 01). Conclusion:NT-3 can mitigate secondary injury of spinal cord in vivo. One of mechanisms is that inhibits abnormal expression of MDA and elevates the activity of SOD. thus the injury of free radical and lipid peroxidation is attenuated.

P2X4 receptor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in neuropathic pain

Objective:To investigate whether the activation of p38MAPK is involved in the neuropathic pain induced by P2X4 receptor,and the effects of activated P2X4 receptor and p38MAPK on expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the chronic neuropathic pain.Methods:Lumbar intrathecal catheters were chronically implanted in male Sprague-Dawley rats.The right sciatic nerve was loosely ligated proximal to the sciatica's trifurcation at approximately 1.0 mm intervals with 4-0 silk sutures.The microglia inhibitor minocycline,P2X4 antagonist (TNP-ATP) and p38MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) were intrathecally administered every 12 h,3 d post-chronic constriction injury (CCI).Mechanical nociceptive thresholds were assessed with the paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) to von Frey filaments.The expression of P2X4 and BDNF were assessed by both immunohistochemical analysis and RT-PCR.Results:Intrathecal injection of minocycline or TNP-ATP or SB203580 significantly attenuated CCI-induced mechanical allodynia.The time courses of P2X4 receptor and BDNF expression were increased at all points after CCI and reached a peak level on postoperative d 7.Intrathecal injection of minocycline or TNP-ATP or SB203580 markedly suppressed the increase of CCI-induced P2X4 receptor and BDNF expression in the spinal cord.Conclusion:The activation of P2X4 receptor BDNF pathways contributes to neuropathic pain in CCI rats,and the activation of p38MAPK is involved in the neuropathic pain induced by P2X4 receptor.

The complex role of physical exercise and reactive oxygen species on brain

Reactive oxygen species （ROS） are continuously generated during aerobic metabolism and at moderate level. They play a role in redox signaling, but in significant concentration they cause oxidative damage and neurodegeneration. Because of the enhanced sensitivity of brain to ROS, it is especially important to maintain the normal redox state in different types of neuron cells. In last decade it became clear that regular exercise beneficially affects brain function, and can play an important preventive and therapeutic role in stroke, Alzheimer, and Parkinson diseases. The effects of exercise appear to be very complex and could include neurogenesis via neurotrophic factors, increased capillariszation, decreased oxidative damage, and increased proteolyfic degradation by proteasome and neprilysin. Data from our and other laboratories indicate that exercise-induced modulation of ROS levels plays a role in the protein content and expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, tyrosinerelated kinase B （TrkB）, and cAMP response element binding protein, resulting in better function and increased neurogenesis. Therefore, it appears that exercise-induced modulation of the redox state is an important means, by which exercise benefits brain function, increases the resistance against oxidative stress, facilitates recovery from oxidative stress, and attenuates age-associated decline in cognition.

The expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor in purified rat choroid plexus epithelial cells in vitro

Objective： To detect the expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） and nerve growth factor （NGF） in purified rat choroid plexus epithelial cells in vitro. Methods： Primary and passage choroid plexus epithelial cells were obtained from newborn, one-day Spragne-Dawley rats. The expressions of BDNF and NGF were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blottingting. The secretions of BDNF and NGF were detected by ELISA. Cell supematants of primary cells, purified cells and passage 1 cells were harvested. Results： The expression of BDNF in the purified cells was significantly lower than that in the primary cells （P〈0.05）, and it in the primary cells and the purified cells was significantly higher than that in the passage 1 cells （P〈0.05）. The expression of NGF was significantly higher in the purified cells than in the primary cells and the passage 1 cells （P〈0.05）. It in the passage 1 cells was significantly higher than that in the primary cells （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The time of CPECs transplantation for central nervous system diseases should be selected based on their secretory function and features,which could lead to better and more effective treatment.

Prokaryotic expression of recombinant human p75NTR-Fc fusion protein and its effect on the neurite outgrowth of dorsal root ganglia neuron

Objective： To clone, express, and identify the extracellular domain gene of human p75 neurotrophin receptor with IgG-Fe （hp75NTR-Fc） in prokaryotic expression system, and investigate the effect of the recombinant protein on dorsal root ganglia （DRG） neuron neurites. Methods： The hp75NTR-Fc coding sequence was amplified from pcDNA-hp75NTR-Fc by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and subcloned into vector pET30a （＋）, in which hp75NTR-Fc expression was controlled under the T7 promoter. The recombinant vectors were amplified in E. coli DH5α and identified by PCR, enzyme digestion and sequencing, and then transformed into E. coli BL21 （DE3）. The expression product was analyzed with SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Then after the recombinant protein purified with Protein A affinity chromatograph, and renaturated with dialysis, respectively, the effect of the recombinant protein on DRG neuron neuritis was further investigated. Results： The results of PCR, enzyme digestion, and sequencing demonstrated the success of inserting the hp75NTR-Fc fragment into vector pET30a （＋）. SDS-PAGE and Western blot showed a positive protein band with molecular weight about 50 kD in the expression product, which is accordant with the interest protein, and this band could be specifically recognized by rabbit anti-NGFRp75 antibody. The purified infusion protein following dialysis could promote neurite outgrowth of DRG neurons cultured with myelin-associated glycoprotein （MAG）. Conclusion： The hp75NTR-Fc coding sequence was subcloned into the expression vector pET30a （＋） correctly and expressed successfully in the prokaryotie expression system. The infusion protein could promote neurite outgrowth of DRG neurons cultured with MAG.

Influence of neurotrophin-3 on Bcl-2 and Bax expressions in spinal cord injury of rats

Objective： To study the protective mechanisms of neurotrophin-3 （NT-3） on the spinal cord injury. Methods：Totally 105 SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups： control group, experimental group and sham operation group. Rats from the former 2 groups were inflicted to animal model of acute spinal cord injury according to Allen＇s （WD） by situating a thin plastic tube in the subarachnoid space below the injury level for perfusion. Rats in experimental group received 20 ul NT-3 （200 ng） from the tube at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24 h and 3, 7 d after injury, and those in control group got an equal volume of normal saline at the same time. The animals in sham operation group only received opening vertebral plate and tube was put in subarachnoid space. The rats were sacrificed at 4, 8, 12, 24 h and 3, 7, 14 d post injury （n=5）. The expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in spinal cord of rats were detected by immunohistochemistry assay. Results： The level of Bax protein in control group significantly increased as compared with those in sham operation group, and the peak reached at 8 h after spinal cord injury. The Bcl-2 proteins were always weakly positive. The Bax proteins in NT-3 group significantly decreased but the Bcl-2 proteins obviously increased as compared with those in control group. Conclusion： NT-3 can protect spinal cord from injury in vivo. One of the mechanisms is that NT-3 can inhibit abnormal expression of Pax protein, and increase the expression of Bcl-2 protein, then inhibit apoptosis after spinal cord injury.

Sequence analysis and functional study of the Han Nationality glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor transcript

Objective: To study the sequence and function of the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) transcript in subjects of Han nationality. Methods: The Han nationality GDNF transcript was amplified by RT-PCR and expressed by baculovirus expression system. Biological activity of the expressed product was measured by the primary culture of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Results: There only existed the shorter GDNF transcript of 555 bp in the Han nationality. The secretory expression product of the shorter transcript in insect cells promoted the survival and differentiation of dopaminergic neurons. Conclusion: It is found that there is a 78 bp deletion in the Han nationality GDNF transcript compared with the reported 633 bp GDNF transcript. The 78 bp deletion does not affect the secretory expression and biological activity of GDNF mature protein.

The neurotrophic factor Artemin promotes the motility and invasiveness of MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells

Objective： The aim of this study was to analyze the capacity of Artemin promoting the motility and invasiveness of MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer （PAC） cells. Methods： The PAC cell line MIA PaCa-2 was cultured in vitro and studied using Transwell chamber analysis. The motility and invasiveness ability affected by different concentrations of Artemin and its receptor GFRa3 were determined. Expression level of matrix metalloproteinase-2 （MMP-2）, epithelial cadherin （E-cadherin） were quantitative analysis using RT-PCR and Western blot in MIA PaCa-2 cells stimulated with Artemin and receptor GFRa3. Results： MIA PaCa-2 PAC cell motility and invasiveness was significantly increased with Artemin and its receptor GFRa3 increasing concentrations than control （P 〈 0.01）. 150 ng/mL was the best of both the role of concentration. MMP-2 was increased significantly （t = 6.35, t = 7.32）, while E-cadherin was significantly lower （t = 4.27, t = 5.61）, after affected by the 150 ng/mL Artemin and GFRα3,respectively. The difference was statistically significant compared with the control group （P 〈 0.01）. Conclusion： Artemin and its receptor GFRa3 can promote PAC cell motility and invasiveness ability and contribute to the aggressive behavior. The mechanism may be related to increased expression of MMP-2 molecule and E-cadherin downregulation expression.

Subchronic Administration of Linalool Decreases Depressive-Like Behaviour in Restrained Rats

Objectives： The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of linalool in chronically stressed rats on their behaviour as related to depressive disorders and BDNF （brain-derived neurotropic factor） protein in the hippocampus. Methods： Either Tween 80 or linalool （50, 160, 500 mg/kg） was intraperitonealty administered to rats, daily, for two weeks. Some rats were housed in home cages but the others were induced with chronic restrained stress （15 min daily）. At the end of the treatment, the rats were assessed for depressive-like behaviour using the forced swimming test. At the end of the behaviour test, the animals were immediately decapitated and the hippocampus of each animal was removed for the measurement of the BDNF protein by ELISA. Result： The immobility time was significantly increased （p 〈 0.05） but time of climbing was significantly decreased （p 〈 0.05）. The restrained rats treated with linalool, 500 mg/kg, displayed immobility times less than those of their controls （p 〈 0.05） while these rats showed significantly more climbing than in the control rats （p 〈 0.05）. Linalool showed no effect on the BDNF protein in the hippocampus. Conclusions： linalool decreases behaviour related to depressive disorders but it has no effect on the BDNF protein in chronic restrained stress.

Clinical observation of acupuncture combined with medication for mild-to-moderate depression

Objective:To discuss the clinical efficacy and plausible mechanism of Tiao Yang Qu Xie(regulating Yang to eliminate pathogenic factors)needling method plus paroxetine in treating mild-to-moderate depression.Methods:Sixty-six patients with mild-to-moderate depression were divided into an observation group and a control group using the random number table method,each consisting of 33 cases.Another 25 healthy subjects were recruited as a healthy group.The control group took oral paroxetine tablets for treatment,and the observation group received additional acupuncture treatment 3 times weekly.Both groups underwent 4-week treatment.Before treatment,after 2-week and 4-week treatment,and 2 weeks after treatment(follow-up),the patients were assessed using the Hamilton depression scale-17-item(HAMD-17),self-rating depression scale(SDS),self-rating anxiety scale(SAS),and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)pattern element identification scale for depression.The two groups each randomly contributed 25 cases to detect the protein content of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)before treatment and after 4-week treatment,and compared with the healthy group.Results:After 2-week treatment,the markedly effective and total effective rates were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05);after 4-week treatment,the observation group significantly surpassed the control group in comparing the markedly effective rate(P<0.05).After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment and at the follow-up,the HAMD-17 total score and sleep disorder factor score were lower in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05);the anxiety-somatic score was lower in the observation group than in the control group after 2-week treatment(P<0.05).After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment and at the follow-up,the observation group was lower than the control group in comparing the scores of SDS,SAS,and TCM pattern element identification scale for depression(P<0.05).After 4-week treatment,the observation group had an increased serum BDNF protein content,higher than that in the control group(P<0.05)and had no significant difference compared to the healthy group(P>0.05).Conclusion:Compared to the use of oral paroxetine alone,acupuncture plus paroxetine can produce more significant efficacy in treating mild-to-moderate depression and act faster in improving sleep disorder and anxiety-somatic symptoms;increasing the serum BDNF protein content may be a part of the mechanism underlying its antidepressant actions.