Objective To investigate the mechanism of the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on improving liver injury by observing the changes of cysteine protease(Caspase) associated with hepatocyte apoptosis based on cisplatin(DDP) induced liver injury model mice. Methods Forty KM mice were randomly divided into control group

model group

acupuncture group and moxibustion group

with 10 mice in each group. The liver injury model was replicated by intraperitoneal injection of DDP. In the acupuncture group and the moxibustion group

acupuncture and moxibustion were performed at“Dazhui”(GV14)

and bilateral “Ganshu”(BL18)

“Shenshu”(BL23)

and “Zusanli”(ST36)

respectively

once per day for 5 d. General condition of mice in each group were observed; The activities of AST

ALT and GLDH in mice serum were detected by biochemical method. ELISA and Western blot assay were used to detect Caspase-3

Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 contents and protein expression in the liver tissues of each group of mice

respectively. Results Compared with the control group

the general condition of the mice in the model group was poorer

and the Caspase-3

Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 contents and protein expressions in liver tissues and the activities of AST

ALT and GLDH in serum were increased(P<0.05). Compared with the model group

the general condition of the mice in the acupuncture and moxibustion groups improved

and the Caspase-3

Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 contents and protein expressions in liver tissues and activities of AST

ALT and GLDH in serum were decreased(P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture and moxibustion can reduce liver injury due to DDP chemotherapy by modulating the expression of apoptotic factors Caspase-3

Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 in liver tissues of DDP model mice and improving liver function

which may be one of the mechanisms of the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion to ameliorates liver injury after DDP chemotherapy.