〔Abstract〕 Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture on rabbit knee osteoarthritis(KOA) model and to explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture in the treatment of KOA in rabbits. Methods Eighteen healthy New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into a blank control group, a model control group and an electroacupuncture group, with 6 rabbits in each group. The rabbits were kept normally in the blank control group, while the model control and electroacupuncture groups were fixed in a modified Videman left hind limb extension and braking position for 6 weeks to create a KOA model,and electroacupuncture was given to the electroacupuncture group 1 week after completion of the modeling for 4 weeks,five times a week for 20 min each time. The functional score of the left knee joint of rabbits was evaluated by Lequesne's functional algorithm index; serum and joint fluid interleukin( IL)-1β and IL-6 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent( ELISA) assay; serum and joint fluid nitric oxide( NO) levels were measured by Griess; morphological changes in knee cartilage were observed by hematoxylin-eosin( HE) staining,and the degree of cartilage degeneration was evaluated by Mankin' s scale; p-P38MAPK positive cell expression in knee cartilage was observed by immunofluorescence technique. Results Compared with the blank control group,the Lequesne score increased in the model control group( P<0. 05); the levels of IL-1β,IL-6,and NO in serum and joint fluid increased( P<0. 05); the cartilage surface was less smooth and the Mankin score increased( P<0. 05); and the immunofluorescence staining positive cells increased( P<0. 05). Compared with the model control group,the Lequesne score was reduced in the electroacupuncture group( P<0. 05); the levels of IL-1β,IL-6,and NO in serum and joint fluid were reduced( P<0. 05); the cartilage surface was smoother,and the Mankin score was reduced( P<0. 05); and the immunofluorescence staining positive cells were reduced( P<0. 05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture can effectively improve knee joint behavior in rabbit KOA model,and the mechanism may be to delay the onset of KOA by decreasing the expression level of inflammatory factors and affecting the expression of MAPK signaling pathway.