摘要Ulcerative colitis(UC),characterized by diffuse colonic inflammation and enteric nervous system(ENS)alterations,remains a therapeutic challenge.While the role of the parasympathetic nervous system in intestinal inflammation has been extensively documented,understanding of sympathetic nervous system(SNS)function in UC pathogenesis remains limited.Electroacupuncture(EA)at ST36(Zusanli)is a widely used alternative therapy for UC,yet its regulatory effects on the ENS-particularly the SNS-and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.Here,we established a 2.5％dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced murine UC model and validated disease phenotypes via histological assessment.Using a non-anesthetic EA intervention protocol mimicking the clinical conditions,we found that EA at ST36 attenuated local inflammatory progression in DSS-induced UC mice and mitigated ENS degeneration.Critically,our results demonstrated that EA at ST36 specifically reversed SNS reduction(tyrosine hydroxylase-positive,TH+neurons)in colonic tissue caused by intestinal inflammation.In conclusion,this study reveals that EA at ST36 restores colonic homeostasis through a sympathetic-dependent mechanism,providing novel insights and therapeutic strategies for the clinical management of UC.