Objective:To explore the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the nervous function of hypothalamic perifornical nucleus (PeF) in obesity rats.Methods: Thirty-six SD male rats were randomly and evenly divided into normal control group

model group and acupuncture group. Changes of body weight

Lee’s index

body fat

hypothalamic and serum leptin (LP) and insulin (INS) contents as well as spontaneous discharges of neurons in hypothalamic PeF were observed in obesity rats. EA (10 Hz

1.5 V and continuous waves) was applied to “Zusanli”(ST 36) and “Neiting”(ST 44) for 10 min

once daily and continuously for 14 days. Hypothalamic tissue and serum LP and INS contents were assayed with radioimmunoassay. Electrical activity of PeF neurons were recorded by using micro-electrodes. Results: The body weight

Lee’s index

body fat

the levels of serum LP and INS as well as the discharge rate of PeF neurons in obesity rats were all markedly higher than those in normal rats

while the levels of hypothalamic LP and INS in obesity rats were strikingly lower than those in normal rats (P<0.05～0.01). Compared with model group

the body weight

Lee’s index

body fat

serum LP and INS as well as the discharge rate in acupuncture group all lowered significantly (P< 0.05～0.01); while hypothalamic LP and INS increased remarkably (P<0.01). There were positive interrelations between the spontaneous discharge rate of PeF neurons and the obesity index

between the discharge rate and the serum LP and INS levels (P<0.05～0.01). There were negative interrelations between the spontaneous discharge rate of PeF neurons and the levels of hypothalamic LP and INS. It indicated that acupuncture treatment could induce weight loss

lower serum LP and INS as well as the spontaneous discharges of PeF neurons

and raise hypothalamic LP and INS contents markedly. Conclusion: Acupuncture treatment induced decrease of peripheral LP and INS levels and reduction of the activity of PeF neurons and increase of central LP and INS contents may be responsible for the effect of acupuncture in antiobesity.