Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) at “Zhiyang”(GV9) and “Jizhong”(GV6) of the Governor Vessel on the expression of calcitonin gene related peptide(CGRP)and NOD-like receptor pyrin containing 3(NLRP3) in the injured anterior horn(AH) of rats with spinal cord injury(SCI)

so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of SCI. Methods Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation(sham) group

model group and EA group which were further randomly allocated to 7 day(d) and 14 d subgroups(n=6 per subgroup). The SCI model was established by clamping the exposed spinal cord with an aneurysm clip. Rats of the EA group received EA of GV6 and GV9 for 30 min

once daily for 7 and 14 days

respectively. The Basso

Beattie and Bresnahan(BBB) was used to assess changes of the locomotor function on the 1

(st)

3(st)

3

(rd)

7(rd)

7

(th)

and 14(th) and 14

(th)

day after SCI. The protein expression levels of CGRP

NLRP3

apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC) and cysteinyl aspartate specific protease-1(caspase-1) in the anterior horn region of the spinal cord on the 7(th) day after SCI. The protein expression levels of CGRP

NLRP3

apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC) and cysteinyl aspartate specific protease-1(caspase-1) in the anterior horn region of the spinal cord on the 7

(th)

and 14(th) and 14

(th)

after SCI were detected by Western blot. Results The BBB scores on the 1(th) after SCI were detected by Western blot. Results The BBB scores on the 1

(st)

3(st)

3

(rd)

7(rd)

7

(th)

and 14(th) and 14

(th)

d after SCI were significantly lower in the model group than in the sham group(P

<

0.05)

whereas the expression levels of NLRP3

ASC and caspase-1 proteins on day 7 and 14 were markedly higher in the model group than in the sham group(P

<

0.05

P

<

0.01). Compared with the model group

the BBB score and CGRP expression on the 7(th) d after SCI were significantly lower in the model group than in the sham group(P

<

0.05)

whereas the expression levels of NLRP3

ASC and caspase-1 proteins on day 7 and 14 were markedly higher in the model group than in the sham group(P

<

0.05

P

<

0.01). Compared with the model group

the BBB score and CGRP expression on the 7

(th)

and 14(th) and 14

(th)

d were significantly increased in the EA group(P

<

0.05

P

<

0.01)

while the expression levels of NLRP3

ASC and caspase-1 were obviously decreased in the EA group(P

<

0.01). Conclusion EA of GV6 and GV9 can improve the locomotion of SCI rats

which may be associated with its function in up-regulating the expression of CGRP and down-regulating the expression of NLRP3

ASC and caspase-1 proteins in the spinal anterior horn tissue.