电针"内关"穴对创伤后应激障碍小鼠焦虑恐惧样行为及前边缘皮质神经元活动的影响OA

Objective To investigate the possible mechanism of electroacupuncture at Neiguan point in improving post traumat-ic stress disorder(PTSD)by observing its effect on anxiety-like and fear-like behaviors,neuronal activity in the prelimbic cor-tex,and cortisol(CORT)level in mice with PTSD.Methods C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal group,mod-el group,and Neiguan group,with 12 mice in each group.The method of single prolonged stress and foot shock was used to establish a mouse model of PTSD.The mice in the Neiguan group were given electroacupuncture at Neiguan point once a day for 14 consecutive days.The open field test,the elevated plus maze test,and the fear conditioning test were used to assess the anxiety-like and fear-like behaviors of mice,optical fibers were used to observe neuronal activity in the prelimbic cortex,and ELISA was used to measure the level of CORT in serum and the prelimbic cortex.Results Compared with the normal group,the model group had significant reductions in the time and distance in the central area and the number of squares crossed and a significant increase in total time spent immobile in the open field test(P＜0.05),as well as significant reductions in the total time spent in the open arm and the number of open arm entries in the elevated plus maze test(P＜0.05)and a significant in-crease in freezing time in the fear conditioning test(P＜0.05);compared with the normal group,the model group had a signifi-cant increase in neuronal activity in the prelimbic cortex(P＜0.05),a significant reduction in the serum level of CORT(P＜0.05),and a significant increase in the level of CORT in the prelimbic cortex(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the Neiguan group,after 14 days of electroacupuncture,had significant increases in the time and distance in the central area and the number of squares crossed(P＜0.05)and a significant reduction in total time spent immobile in the open field test(P＜0.05),as well as significant increases in the total time spent in the open arm and the number of open arm entries in the elevated plus maze test(P＜0.05),a significant reduction in freezing time in the fear conditioning test(P＜0.05),a significant reduction in neuronal activity in the prelimbic cortex(P＜0.05),a significant increase in the serum level of CORT(P＜0.05),and a signif-icant reduction in the level of CORT in the prelimbic cortex(P＜0.05).The Pearson correlation analysis showed that freezing time was positively correlated with neuronal activity in the prelimbic cortex(P＜0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Neiguan point can improve anxiety-like and fear-like behaviors in mice with PTSD,possibly by inhibiting neuronal activity in the prelimbic cortex and regulating the level of CORT.