Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)at"Dazhui"(GV14)and"Ciliao"(BL32)on rats with bladder detrusor hyperreflexia(DH)after supersacral spinal cord transection

as well as the mechanism of EA in improving the urinary function by regulating the expression of Wnt-1

β-catenin and Neurogenin 1(Ngn1).Methods A total of 48 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group

model control group

EA group

and EA control group

with 12 rats in each group. T10 spinal cord transection(SCT)was performed by surgery. The Basso

Beattie and Bresnahan(BBB)score was used to evaluate the motor function of SCT rat

and the Crede technique was used to assist urination. After the urine volume became stable

the urodynamic test was used to determine whether a rat model of DH was successfully established. The rats in the EA group were given EA at GV14 and BL32

and those in the EA control group were given EA(10 Hz/50 Hz

20 min)at the acupuncture points at 1 cm next to GV14 and BL32 at both sides alternatively. EA was performed once a day for one week. Urodynamic parameters were used to evaluate urinary function. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to measure the expression of Wnt-1 and β-catenin in the spinal cord

and immunofluorescence assay was used to measure the expression of Ngn1 in the spinal cord.Results The BBB score of the model control group significantly decreased compared with that of the sham-operation group(P<0. 01)

and the EA group was significantly higher than the model control group and the EA control group. Compared with the sham-operation group

the model control group had significant increases in bladder base pressure

maximum pressure

and leak point pressure(P<0. 01)and significant reductions in maximum bladder capacity and compliance(P<0. 01). Compared with the model control group

the EA group had significant reductions in bladder base pressure

maximum pressure

and leak point pressure(P<0. 01)and significant increases in maximum bladder capacity and compliance(P<0. 01

P<0. 05). Compared with the EA group

the EA control group had significant increases in bladder base pressure

maximum pressure

and leak point pressure(P<0. 01)and significant reductions in maximum bladder capacity and compliance(P<0. 01

P<0. 05). Compared with the sham-operation group

the model control group had significant increases in the protein expression of Wnt-1 and β-catenin(P<0. 05

P<0. 01)and a signi-ficant reduction in the protein expression of Ngn1 in the spinal cord(P<0. 01). Compared with the model control group

the EA group had significant increases in the protein expression of Wnt-1

β-catenin and Ngn1 in the spinal cord(P<0. 01). Compared with the EA group

the EA control group had significant reductions in the protein expression of Wnt-1

β-catenin

and Ngn1 in the spinal cord(P<0. 01).Conclusion EA at GV14 and BL32 can significantly improve urinary function in rats with bladder DH due to SCT

partially by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and promoting the protein expression of Wnt-1

β-catenin and Ngn1.