Objective To observe the influence of electroacupuncture(EA) intervention on liver function and retinol binding protein 4(RBP 4) in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) rats

so as to study its mechanisms underlying improving liver function.Methods A total of 44 SD rats were randomly allocated to normal control

model

EA and non-acupoint groups

with 11 rats in each group.NAFLD model was established by feeding the rats with high glucose and high fat forage for 5 weeks.EA(2 Hz

1.5 V

15 min) was applied to unilateral "Fenglong"(ST 40)

"Zusanli"(ST 36)

"Sanyinjiao"(SP 6) and "Taichong"(LR 3)

once daily for 4 weeks.Serum RBP 4 content was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)

and serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase(AST)

alanine aminotransferase(ALT)

total cholesterol(TC)

and triglycerides(TG) contents were detected by chromatometry.Results Compared with the normal control group

serum AST

ALT

TC

TG and RBP 4 contents in the model group were increased significantly(P<0.01)

while in comparison with the model group

the levels of the abovementioned 5 serum indexes were down-regulated considerably in the EA group(P<0.05) rather than in the non-acupoint group(P>0.05).Conclusion EA intervention can lower serum AST

ALT

TC

TG and RBP 4 contents in NAFLD rats

which may be responsible for its action in improving NAFLD in clinic.