OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment on the expression of E-prostanoid 2 (EP2) in the spinal cord using a rat model of neuropathic pain,and to examine the effect of different acupuncture prescriptions.METHODS:Rats were randomly divided into six groups:a normal group,model group,sham group,EA 1 group (distal-proximal acupoints),EA 2 group (proximal acupoints),and EA 3 group (distal acupoints).Rats in the EA groups were treated for 20 min,once daily for 7 days.The mechanical withdrawal threshold was evaluated at 1 day preoperatively and at 3,5,and 7 days postoperatively.At 7 days postoperatively,hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to investigate spinal morphological changes.Spinal EP2 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) was detected using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS:After the EA treatment,the mechanical withdrawal threshold was up-regulated compared with the model group (P ＜ 0.05).The expression of EP2 mRNA was up-regulated in the spinal cord on day 7 after surgery (P ＜ 0.05).EA stimulation tended to down-regulate EP2 mRNA expression com pared with the model group (P ＞ 0.05).The EA 1 and EA 2 groups showed a larger treatment effect than the EA 3 group.The HE results showed that EA can improve spinal histomorphology induced by neuropathic pain.CONCLUSION:EA had a strong analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.The therapeutic effect of EA on the down-regulation of spinal EP2 mRNA expression may be greater when either local acupoints or a distal-proximal combination of acupoints are used than when distal points are used.