Objective: To study the molecular mechanism of electroacupuncture(EA) in the treatment of spinal cord injury(SCI) in rats. Methods: Forty-five male SD rats were randomized into control

model and EA groups with 15 cases in each group which was further divided into 3 subgroups(3 d

7 d and 14 d) at average.SCI(T10) model was duplicated by using modified Allen's method.EA(2 Hz

2-6 mA) was applied to bilateral "Jiaji" [EXB 2

superior and inferior to the injured locus(T10)] for 30 min

continuously for 3 days

7 days and 14 days respectively in different subgroups.Changes of SCI rats' behavior(hind-limb motor) were detected by using Basso Beattie Bresnahan(BBB) locomotor scoring scale.The immuno-reaction(IR) activity of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) and glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) in gray matter of the injured cord was determined using immunohistochemical technique on day 3

7 and 14 separately.Results: Compared with control group

BBB scores of model and EA groups were significantly lower in the 3 subgroups(P<0.01);while in comparison with the 3 subgroups of model group

BBB scores of the corresponding time in EA group were significantly higher(P<0.01).Compared with control group

IR-positive cells of both EGFR and GFAP in model and EA groups increased remarkably at the 3 time-points in number(P<0.01);while those of EGFR and GFAP of EA group were significantly fewer than those of model group at the 3 time-points(P<0.01).Conclusion: EA can effectively improve SCI rats' hind-limb locomotor

which may be closely related to its functions in suppressing the expression of EGFR and GFAP in the injured spinal cord and in promoting nerve axon regeneration.