Effects of Acupoint Catgut Implantation on Hypothalamic Monoamine Neurotransmitters in Rats Treated with Clozapine

【Objective】To explore the effect of acupoint catgut implantation(ACI) on hypothalamic monoamine neurotransmitters in rats treated with clozapine.【Methods】Thirty-six SD rats were randomized into ACI group,clozapine group and blank control group.Except the blank control group,the rats in other two groups received clozapine.The dosage of clozapine for the rats was 5 mg·kg-1·d-1 at the first time,increased to 30 mg·kg-1·d-1,and then reduced to 22 mg·kg-1·d-1 which maintained till the end of the experiment.After 60-day treatment with clozapine,ACI group was treated with ACI alternatively on Baihui(GV20),bilateral Xinshu(BL15) and bilateral Quchi(LI11),or on Dazhui(GV14),bilateral Pishu(BL20),bilateral Zusanli(ST36),one time every 5 days,12 times in total.The changes of body weight before and after treatment,and the hypothalamic monoamine neurotransmitters contents of dopamine(DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) were observed in the three groups.【Results】In the clozapine group,the rats body weight markedly increased,and the contents of DA and 5-HT decreased(P0.05 or P0.01 compared with the blank control group). ACI decreased the body weight and increased the contents of DA and 5-HT in clozapine group(P0.05).【Conclusion】The mechanism of ACI reducing the side effects of clozapine is probably related to the increase of hypothalamic monoamine neurotransmitters contents.