Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and the content of lipid peroxide(LPO) in the compressed lumbar nerve roots so as to explore the mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of nerve root compression syndrome.Methods: In this study

42 SD rats were randomized into six groups: control group

model group and EA group which were further divided into 15 d and 30 d subgroups respectively

with 7 cases in each subgroup.Nerve root compression model was established by embedding a small piece of hard silicon film near the right lumbar 5(L_5) nerve root beneath the subdural space.EA((2 Hz)

2-(3 mA)

continuous waves) was applied to right "Huantiao"(GB 30) and "Yanglingquan"(GB 34) for(20 min)

once every other day.On the 15

(th)

and 30(th) and 30

(th)

after the treatment

the rats were killed separately for collecting the nerve root samples.SOD activity and LPO content of the compressed nerve root tissue were assayed by means of pyrogallol autoxidation inhibition method and LPO fluorescence assay respectively.Results: Compared with control group

the SOD activity decreased significantly

and LPO contents increased obviously in(15 d) and(30 d) subgroups of model group(P

<

0.01).While compared with(15 d) and(30 d) subgroups of model group

SOD activity of the 2 subgroups of EA group increased significantly(P

<

0.01) in spite of being still evidently lower than that of control group(P

<

0.01).LPO contents in the 2 subgroups of EA group were considerably lower than those of the 2 subgroups of model group(P

<

0.05

0.01).No significant difference was found between(30 d) subgroup of EA group and that of control group in LPO level(P

>

0.05).Conclusion: EA of"Huantiao"(GB 30) and "Yanglingquan"(GB 34) can effectively raise SOD activity and lower LPO content in the compressed lumbar nerve root which may contribute to its therapeutic effect in improving clinical symptoms of lumbar nerve compression syndrome.