Objective： To observe the intervening effect of electroacupuncmre at Ganshu （BL 18） and Zusanli （ST 36） on ERK phosphorylation in rats of hepatofibrosis, and to explore the possible molecular mechanisms of electroacupunctre for hepatofibrosis. Methods： Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, electroacupuncture group, and medicine group. Rats in the latter three groups were hypodermically injected with the mixture of olive oil and 30% carbon tetrachloride and drank tap water containing 10% alcohol to induce hepatic fibrosis model. Rats in the electroacupuncture group were stimulated at Zusanli （ST 36） and Ganshu （BL 18） by electroacupuncture, and rats in the medicine group were treated with Colchicine. The collagen hyperplasia of rats＇ hepatic tissue was observed by Sirius Red staining, and protein expression of ERK and phosphorylated ERK （P-ERK） were observed by Western Blot. Results： Compared with those in the normal group, collagen deposition in hepatic tissue obviously increased in the model group, and P-ERK protein expression was also up-regulated obviously （P〈0.01）. Compared with those in the model group, collagen deposition in hepatic tissue decreased in the electroacupuncmre and medicine groups, and P-ERK protein expressed was down-regulated （P〈0.01）. The difference between the electroacupuncture and medicine groups had no significance. Conclusion： Electroacupuncture can prevent or delay the development of hepatic fibrosis in rats by down-regulating the protein expression of P-ERK to block MAPK/ERK signal pathway and to suppress the synthesis of extracellular matrix.
