Objective To observe the effect of transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation(TEAS) on plasma superoxide dismutase(SOD) and malondialdehyde(MDA) in rats with sports fatigue so as to explore its mechanisms in resisting exercise-induced fatigue.Methods Twenty-seven male adult SD rats were randomly divided into control group(n=9)

model group(n=9) and TEAS group(n=9).Sports fatigue model was established by using treadmill method

i.e.forcing the rat to run 10 min at a speed of 10 m/min

15 m/min

20 m/min

24 m/min and 28 m/min

once daily for 6 days.TEAS(continuous waves

2 Hz

5 mA) was applied to unilateral "Zusanli"(ST 36) for 30 min

once per day for 7 days.The exhausted exercise time from starting running to exhaustion was recorded on the 7th day and the lactate levels

SOD activity and MDA contents in plasma were measured by lactate oxidase method

xanthine oxidase method and thiobarbituric acid method respectively.Results The duration of exhausted exercise in model group and TEAS group were(56.00±12.27) min and(70.88±13.74) min respectively

displaying significant increase in exercise tolerance after TEAS(P<0.05).The lactate level and MDA content in model group were markedly higher than those in control group(P<0.05);while compared with model group

lactate and MDA contents in TEAS group were significantly lower(P<0.05)

and plasma SOD activity in TEAS group was significantly higher(P<0.01).No significant differences were found in plasma lactate content between control and TEAS groups and in SOD activity between model group and control group(P>0.05).SOD/MDA of model group was significantly lower than those of control group and TEAS group(P<0.05

0.01).Conclusion TEAS at "Zusanli"(ST 36) can effectively postpone exercise-induced fatigue by reducing accumulation of blood lactate

improving anti-oxidative ability and relieving lipid peroxidation in the rat.