Objective To investigate the mechanism of electroacupuncture(EA) in treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) in rats.Methods Thirty male SD rats were randomized into normal control

NAFLD model and EA groups

with 10 cases in each.NAFLD model was established by feeding the rats with high-fat food for 8 weeks.EA(2 Hz

4 mA) was applied to "Zusanli"(ST 36)

"Fenglong"(ST 40)

"Sanyinjiao"(SP 6)

and "Taichong"(LR 3) for 15 min

once daily for 4 weeks.Fasting blood sugar(FBG) and serum free fatty acids(FFA) were detected with chromatometry;serum insulin(INS) was determined with radioimmunoassay;homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance(HOMA-IR) and liver index(LI) were calculated.Liver tissue was cut into sections for detecting pathological changes.Results Compared with normal control group

FBG

INS

FFA

HOMA-IR and LI of model group increased significantly(P<0.05)

and hepatic diffuse steatosis with cellular necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration was obvious.In comparison with model group

all the 5 indexes in EA group decreased significantly(P<0.05)

and pathological changes as hepatic steatosis

etc.were significantly reduced.Conclusion EA may be used to effectively improve NAFLD by lowering insulin resistance.