Objective: To study the protective mechanism of electroacupuncture(EA) of "Zusanli"(ST 36) in improving gastric mucosa injury in rats.Methods: Thirty Wistar rats were randomized into control

model and EA groups with 10 cases in each group.Gastric mucosal injury model was made by intragastric perfusion of anhydrous alcohol(0.4 mL).EA(4/20 Hz in frequency

0.5 ms in pulse-duration

0-8 V instrength) was applied to bilateral "Zusanli"(ST 36) for(20 min).Gastric mucosal blood flow(GMBF) was detected with a blood flow detector

and gastric mucosal lesion index(GMLI) calculated according to Guth's criteria.Serum nitric oxide(NO) and plasma endothelin(ET) contents were assayed with nitrate reductase method and enzyme-linked immunoassay respectively.Results: Following perfusion of anhydrous alcohol

gastric mucosal lesion was very evident and GMBF decreased remarkably in model group(P<0.01)

after EA

GMLI decreased considerably and GMBF increased significantly(P<0.01).Compared with control group

serum NO level decreased significantly and plasma ET increased considerably in model group(P<0.01);while compared with model group

serum NO increased significantly and plasma ET decreased significantly in EA group(P<0.01).Conclusion: EA of "Zusanli"(ST 36) can effectively relieve alcohol-induced gastric mucosal injury

which maybe be related to its regulative effects on blood NO and ET.