Objective To investigate the mechanism of electroacupuncture(EA) “Zusanli”(ST36) in delaying colon “inflammation-cancer transformation” in mice by anti-inflammatory. Methods C57 BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into normal

model and EA groups

with 12 mice in each group. The mouse model of colorectal cancer(CRC) was established by intrape-ritoneal injection of azomethane(AOM) and feeding dextran sodium sulfate(DSS). At the beginning of the 2

(nd)

cycle

EA was applied to bilateral ST36 for 30 min once every other day for 12 times. The number of colon tumors in each group was observed

and the weight and length of colon were recorded. The contents of interleukin(IL)-1β

IL-6

IL-17 A

IL-23

tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α and CXC chemokine ligand 1(CXCL1) of serum and colon tissue were detected by MSD multifactorial assay.The apoptosis of local cells in colon tumor was observed by TUNEL staining. Cell proliferation in colon tumor was observed by immunohistochemistry. Results Compared with the normal group

the colon length was significantly shortened(P

<

0.05) and the colon mass was significantly increased(P

<

0.001) in the model group

the contents of IL-1β

IL-6

TNF-α

IL-17 A and CXCL1 of serum and colon tissue were significantly increased(P

<

0.05

P

<

0.01

P

<

0.001)

and the content of IL-23 was increased in colon tissue(P

<

0.05) in the model group. Compared with the model group

the colon mass was decreased(P

<

0.05) and the contents of IL-1β

IL-6

TNF-α and IL-17 A in serum were decreased(P

<

0.05)

while the contents of IL-17 A

CXCL1 and IL-23 in colon tissue were decreased(P

<

0.05) in the EA group

the percentage of local apoptotic cells in the EA group was increased(P

<

0.001)

the percentage of PCNA positive cells was decreased(P

<

0.001)

the number of tumors and the tumor volume were significantly decreased(P

<

0.01

P

<

0.05). The contents of IL-6

TNF-α

IL-17 A and IL-23 in serum of CRC mice were positively correlated with tumor burden(P

<

0.05).The contents of IL-1β

TNF-α

CXCL1 and IL-23 in colon tissue of CRC mice were positively correlated with tumor burden(P

<

0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture at ST36 can inhibit the inflammatory response of AOM/DSS inflammatory associated CRC mice and delay the “inflammation-cancer transformation” of colon.