Objective

2

To observe the clinical efficacy of umbilical moxibustion for subthreshold depression (SD) and its effect on intestinal flora

and to explore its mechanism.

Methods

2

Thirty-six SD patients were recruited as the SD group (1 case dropped out

2 cases excluded)

and 36 healthy subjects were recruited as the healthy control group (1 case excluded).The SD group was treated with umbilical moxibustion

once a week

a total of 8 times were required.The healthy control group did not receive any intervention.Hamilton depression scale 17-item (HAMD-17) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies depression scale (CES-D) scores were observed in the SD group before and after treatment

and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.Fecal samples were collected in the SD group before and after treatment and in the healthy control group when enrolled

the intestinal flora was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing technology.

Results

2

The HAMD-17 and CES-D scores after treatment in the SD group were reduced compared with those before treatment (

P

<

0.05)

and the total effective rate was 90.9% (30/33).Compared with the healthy control group

Sobs index

Shannon index and Ace index were reduced in the SD group before treatment (

P

<

0.05)

Simpson index was increased (

P

<

0.05)

the relative abundance of

Escherichia

-

Shigella

was increased (

P

<

0.01)

the relative abundance of

Eubacterium_hallii_

group

Ruminococcus

Christensenellaceae_R

-

7_

group

Paraprevotella

was decreased (

P

<

0.05

P

<

0.01).Compared before treatment

the relative abundance of

Escherichia

-

Shigella

after treatment in the SD group was decreased (

P

<

0.01)

the relative abundance of

Ruminococcus

Christensenaceae_R

-

7_

group

Paraprevotella

was increased (

P

<

0.01

P

<

0.05).

Christensenellaceae_R

-

7_

group and

Paraprevotella

were negatively correlated with the CES-D score (

P

<

0.01

P

<

0.05).

Escherichia

-

Shigella

was positively correlated with the HAMD-17 score (

P

<

0.05).

Christensenellaceae_R

-

7_

group was negatively correlated with the HAMD-17 score (

P

<

0.01).

Conclusion

2

Patients with subthreshold depression have dysbiosis of intestinal flora

and umbilical moxibustion may exert therapeutic effect by regulating the abundance and diversity of intestinal flora

increasing beneficial bacteria

and reducing harmful bacteria.