Objective To study the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)on liver cytochrome P4501A1 immunoactivity

superoxide dismutase(SOD)and malondialdehyde(MDA)contents in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)rats.Methods Thirty male SD rats were randomized into normal control(n=10)

model(n=10)and EA(n=10)groups.NAFLD model was established by feeding the animal with high-fat forage for 8 weeks.EA(1.6-2 Hz

1-4 mA)was applied to bilateral "Zusanli"(ST 36)

"Fenglong"(ST 40)

"Sanyinjiao"(SP 6)and "Taichong"(LR 3)for 15 min

once daily for 4 weeks.Then the rats anesthetized with ether were killed for collecting liver tissue.Following homogenate and centrifugalization of the partial liver tissue

the supernatant was collected for assaying superoxide dismutase(SOD)and malondialdehyde(MDA)contents by xanthinoxidase chromometry and thio-malonylurea chromometry respectively.The other partial liver tissue samples were fixed in 10% formalin

followed by paraffin imbedding and sectioning(4 μm)

and staining with streptavidin-perosidase methods respectively for displaying hepatic pathological changes and cytochrom P4501A1 immunoreaction.Results Compared with control group

hepatic SOD content of model group was significantly lower(P<0.05)

and MDA level and cytochrome P4501A1(CYP1A1)integrated optic density(IOD)value were obviously higher in model group(P<0.05).In comparison with model group

liver SOD level of EA group increased considerably(P<0.05)

while MDA level and CYP1A1 IOD of EA group decreased evidently in EA group(P<0.05).Conclusion EA can effectively reduce lipid peroxidation and up-regulate CYP1A1 expression in nonalcoholic fatty liver tissue

which may contribute to its effect in improving fatty liver.