Electroacupuncture enhances the effects of escitalopram oxalate on glucocorticoid-inducible genes, inflammation and neurotrophin in depressed patients

Three interventions improved the depression severity and QOL (P < 0.05), and no inter-group difference was found in the 6th week (P > 0.05). Anxiety psychic and somatic general symptoms in the EA + EO group were improved significantly than those of the other two groups (P < 0.05). After six-week treatment of EA + EO, blood SGK1 mRNA, GILZ mRNA, and BDNF levels were increased significantly (<i>P</i> < 0.05), and IL-6 levels were decreased significantly (<i>P</i> < 0.05) in depressed patients. IL-6 change levels were positively correlated with the change of HAMD-24 score in patients who received EA + EO treatment (<i>P</i> < 0.05). EA as an add-on therapy of EO probably enhanced antidepressant effectiveness through regulating multiple targets involved in blood BDNF, IL-6, and glucocorticoid-inducible genes GILZ mRNA and SGK-1 mRNA.