Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on the hemorheology and hepatic microcirculation in mice with chronic alcoholic liver injury(cALI)

so as to explore the microcirculation mechanism of EA underlying regulating liver function in cALI mice. Methods Forty Kunming mice were randomly assigned to control

model

acupoint EA and non-acupoint EA groups

with 10 mice in each group. The cALI model was established by gavage with 50% ethanol(15 mL/kg

2 times per day with 8 hours' interval) for 28 d. Mice in the acupoint EA group received EA at bilateral "Zusanli"(ST36) and "Ganshu"(GB11) for 20 min

once daily for 14 d. And mice in the non-acupoint EA group received EA the spot about 1 cm lateral to GB11 and 0.5 cm lateral to ST36 respectively for 20 min

once daily for 14 d. The hepatic blood perfusion(HBP) of mice was detected by laser speckle perfusion imaging. The index of hemorheology

serum markers of liver function and hepatic histology in mice were observed by automatic blood rheometer

automatic bio-analysis machine and H.E. staining

respectively. Results Compared with the control group

the HBP of the model group was significantly decreased(P<0.05); the low-cut whole blood viscosity

plasma viscosity

and erythrocyte sedimentation level were significantly increased(P<0.05)

and the red blood cell deformation index was significantly decreased(P<0.05); serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase(GGT) increased significantly(P<0.05) in the model group. Hepatocyte steatosis accompanied by inflammatory cell infiltration and focal necrosis was observed in the model group. After EA at ST36 and GB11

and in comparison with the model group showed that the HBP was significantly increased(P<0.05); the low-cut whole blood viscosity

plasma viscosity

erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serum GGT were significantly decreased(P<0.05)

and the red blood cell deformation index was significantly increased(P<0.05); the degree of fatty degeneration in the liver tissue was reduced

and the focal necrosis was reduced. The plasma viscosity

erythrocyte sedimentation rate were significantly decreased(P<0.05)

and the red blood cell deformation index was significantly increased in the non-acupoint EA group relevant to the model group(P<0.05). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the red blood cell deformation index of the acupoint EA group was significantly lower than that of the non-acupoint EA group(P<0.05). Conclusion EA at ST36 and GB11 could improve the hemorheological disorder and the hepatic microcirculation

and inhibit the deve-lopment of liver injury in cALI mice.