Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)stimulation of"Housanli"(ST 36)and"Zhongwan"(CV 12)on serum leptin level and expression of phosphorylated Janus kinase 2(p-JAK 2)and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(p-STAT 3)proteins in the liver tissue of obese rats.Methods Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group

model group

manual acupuncture(MA)group and EA group(n=8in each group).The obese model was induced by high fat diet for 8weeks.MA or EA(20Hz

1.5V)stimulation was applied to bilateral"Housanli"(ST 36)and"Zhongwan"(CV 12)for 20 min

once daily for 4weeks.The animals' body weight and length were recorded

and Lee's index was calculated.Serum leptin level and liver p-JAK 2and p-STAT 3protein expression levels were detected using radioimmunoassay and Western blot

respectively.Results In comparison with the control group

the rats' body weight

Lee's index

and serum leptin content were remarkably increased in the model group(P<0.05)

while hepatocellular p-JAK 2and p-STAT 3protein expression levels were significantly down-regulated in the model group(P<0.05).After treatment for 4weeks

the levels of body weight

Lee's index

serum leptin were significantly reduced(P<0.05)

and hepatocellular p-JAK 2and p-STAT 3protein expression in the MA and EA groups were considerably up-regulated compared with the model group(P<0.05).The effect of EA was apparently superior to that of MA in up-regulating p-JAK 2and p-STAT 3protein expression(P<0.05).Conclusion Both EA and MA stimulation can reduce the obese rats' body weight

and Lee's index

which may be closely associated with their effects in down-regulating serum leptin and in enhancing hepatocellular p-JAK 2and p-STAT 3protein expression.