Efeitos modulatórios da acupuntura e da eletroacupuntura sobre a inflamação e o estresse oxidativo no fígado de ratos deprimidos experimentalmente

Abstract

Stress is currently one of the main factors that have been associated with the occurrence of depression, one of the most common forms of psychopathy, the social impact is high. We can point to a close relationship between stress and depression, from evidence pointing to the presence of abnormalities in cellular levels of reactive oxygen species and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the activity of antioxidant enzymes. It is known that the imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant (oxidative stress) plays a key role in the production of lesions induced by stress, which in this study associate with liver injury. The impact of emotional disorders on the liver appears to be associated with increased severity of liver disease. Based on this, the manual acupuncture is used in acupoint VB34 (Yanglingquan) in order to generate hepatoprotective answers and E36 point (Zusanli) to strengthen the mental processes. This study aimed to evaluate the modulatory effects of acupuncture and electroacupuncture on oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver of rat experimentally depressed. This was a prospective, controlled study, comparing four Wistar rats groups, there were 24 male rats randomly assigned in groups of six, subjected to Chronic Mild Stress (CMS) for six (6) weeks for the development an experimental depression, this frame was evidenced by Sucrose Preference Test and the Forced Swim Test. After we performed the treatment Acupuncture (Ac), electroacupuncture 2 Hz (Eac 2 Hz )and electroacupuncture 100 Hz (Eac 100Hz ) , except for the control group. The acupoints VB34 and E36 were used as treatments, and the point R3 (Taixi) was used as the potentiator.The treatment lasted 20 min, repeated on alternate days, totaling six (6) applications. In the end, blood samples and liver samples were collected for biochemical analysis, which included the transaminase analysis glutamic oxaloacetic / aspartate aminotransferase (AST/ALT) and transaminase glutamic pyruvic / alanine aminotransferase (ALT/AST) serum, malonic dialdehyde (MDA) serum and liver, reduced glutathione (GSH) serum and liver and myeloperoxidase (MPO) liver. In the present study it was observed that the proposed treatment with Ac, Eac 2Hz, Eac and Eac100Hz, caused a significant reduction of serum AST, increased hepatic GSH for all treated groups. There was also a significant increase (p <0, 0001) serum GSH related to treatment with Eac 100Hz and significant (p <0.05) related to Ac, a significant reduction in hepatic MDA (p <0, 05), and a very significant reduction in hepatic MPO (p<0.0001 ) , related to the use of Eac 100Hz . It was conclued, then, that the applications of the treatment in rats previously depressed promoted local and systemic protection on oxidative stress by increasing GSH concentrations and reduce the inflammatory state. It is emphasized that treatment with electroacupuncture 100Hz was significantly more promising as a treatment.