Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)
expressions in the liver of rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods SD rat models of NAFLD induced by
feeding high-fat diet for 5 weeks were subjected to early or late intervention with electro-acupuncture at the acupoints Zusanli,
Fenglong and Sanyinjiao for 20 min once daily for 21 consecutive days. The changes in serum ALT, AST, TC, and TG levels
were determined in the rats and hepatic expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB detected with quantitative fluorescence PCR and
Western blotting after treatments. Results Serum ALT, AST, TC, and TG levels and TLR4 and NF-κB levels increased
significantly after NAFLD onset (P<0.05), and were markedly reduced by interventions with electro-acupuncture (P<0.05).
Conclusion Electro-acupuncture at the acupoints Zusanli, Fenglong and Sanyinjiao can modify blood lipid and hepatic
function to produce positive effect on NAFLD possibly by modifying lipid metabolism, lowering expressions of TLR4 and
NF-κB in the liver, and reducing the impact of inflammation on NAFLD.