Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)intervention on changes of spinal a-amino-3-ydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate acid(AMPA)receptor(GluR 1)expression in rats with chronic constrictive injury(CCI)pain

so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of neuropathic pain.Methods Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operation

CCI model and EA groups(n=20).Neuropathic pain model was established by ligature of the right sciatic nerve.EA stimulation(2Hz

1-3mA)was applied to"Weizhong"(BL 40)and"Huantiao"(GB 30)on the injured limb for 30 min

once a day for 7days beginning from the 11 th day on after CCI.The mechanical and thermal pain thresholds were measured before and after the CCI procedure(baseline)and after EA intervention.The AMPA receptor subunit GluR 1protein and gene expression in L 5-L 6segments of the spinal cord was detected using Western blot(WB)

immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription(RT)-polymerase chain reaction(PCR)

separately.Results As the results of mechanical and thermal pain thresholds in our past study

EA intervention could markedly raise CCI-reduced decreased pain threshold.Compared with the sham-operation group

the expression levels of spinal GluR 1protein and mRNA in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.05

P<0.01).Following EA intervention

the expression levels of GluR 1protein and mRNA were remarkably down-regulated in the EA group in comparison with those of the model group(all P<0.05).Conclusion EA intervention can down-regulate CCI-induced increase of AMPA receptor GluR 1expression in the lumbar spinal cord in CCI rats

which may contribute to its effect in alleviating neuropathic pain.