艾灸对抑郁症大鼠色氨酸羟化酶2基因表达与单胺氧化酶活性的影响

［摘要］目的　观察艾灸对抑郁症模型大鼠中缝核色氨酸羟化酶2(TPH2)mRNA表达以及血清和大脑皮质单胺氧化酶(MAO)活性的影响，研究艾灸治疗抑郁症的作用机制。方法　雌性SD大鼠20只，随机会为三组：正常组、模型组和艾灸组。采用孤养和慢性不可预见性温和应激(CUMS)制备抑郁症大鼠模型。采用RT-PCR技术检测大鼠中缝核TPH2 mRNA的表达；比色法测试大鼠血清和大脑皮质MAO活性。结果　模型组大鼠中缝核TPH2 mRNA的相对表达量(0.2573±0.0581)低于正常组(0.3247±0.0264)；血清和大脑皮质MAO活性［分别为(4.117±2.727)U/ml、(1441.345 ±117.050)U/mg protein］高于正常组［分别为(2.025 ±2.00)U/ml、(1356.010 ±65.350)U/mg protein］；与模型组相比，艾灸组大鼠中缝核TPH2 mRNA的相对表达量(0.3759±0.0272)增加，血清和大脑皮质MAO活性［分别为(1.919±1.243)U/ml、(1292.048±90.072)U/mg protein］降低。结论　艾灸改善抑郁症大鼠模型的效果，可能与其提高中缝核TPH2的表达，降低MAO活性有关。

［关键词］慢性不可预见性温和应激；艾灸；色氨酸羟化酶2；单胺氧化酶

Effects of moxibustion on the expression of typtophan hydroxylase 2 mRNA and the activity of monoamine oxidase in depression model rats

［Abstract］Objective The effects of moxibustion on the relative expression of the expression of typtophan hydroxylase 2(TPH2)mRNA in median raphe nuclei and the activity of monoamine oxidase(MAO)in sera and cortex were investigated in order to explore the mechanism of its antidepressant effect in depression model rats.Methods Twenty female SD rats were randomly divided into three groups：normal group，model group and moxibustion group.Depression model was induced by giving isolation-housing in combination with chronic unexpect-ed mild stress(CUMS)for 21 days.Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RTPCR)was employed to detect the relative expression of TPH2 mRNA.Colorimetry was used to test the activity of MAO.Results The expression of TPH2 mRNA in median raphe nuclei(0.2573±0.0581)reduced and the activity of MAO in sera and cortex［(4.117±2.727)U/ml，(1441.345 ±117.050)U/mg protein，respectively］increased in model group rats.Rats in moxibustion group showed that the expression of TPH2 mRNA in median raphe nuclei(0.3759±0.0272)increased，and the activity of MAO in sera and cortex［(1.919 ±1.243)U/ml，(1292.048 ±90.072)U/mg protein，respectively］reduced，compared with rats in model group.Conclusion Moxibustion might regulate the relative expression of TPH2 mRNA and the activity of MAO to improve the symptoms of depression in depression model rats.(www.xing528.com)

［Key words］ chronic unexpected mild stress；moxibustion；typtophan hydroxylase 2；monoamine oxidase

抑郁症是以焦虑不安和情绪低落为主要症状的疾病，属于情感性精神障碍，同时伴有思维迟缓、意志活动减退等症状，即存在认知功能障碍［1］。祖国医学的艾灸疗法治疗抑郁症具有一定的效果。然而其作用机理还不清楚。色氨酸羟化酶2(TPH2)，是脑内5-HT合成的限速酶，控制了脑内5-HT的合成［2］。而单胺氧化酶(MAO)是机体内参与单胺类物质代谢的主要酶类之一，5-HT在它的作用下首先脱氨基生成醛，再经醛脱氢酶的作用氧化成5-羟吲哚乙酸(5-HIAA)。目前，关于艾灸对TPH2表达以及对MAO活性是否有影响的研究报道还不多见，故本研究通过制备抑郁症大鼠模型，观察艾灸“百会”对模型大鼠中缝核色氨酸羟化酶2(TPH2)mRNA表达以及血清和大脑皮质单胺氧化酶(MAO)活性的影响，探讨艾灸治疗抑郁症的作用机制。