Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)stimulation at"Dazhui"(GV 14)and"Mingmen"(GV 4)of the Governor Vessel at different time-points on spinal cord neuronal apoptosis and the expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinases(JNK)protein in spinal cord injury(SCI)rats

so as to reveal its mechanism underlying improving SCI.Methods A total of 108 male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control

SCI model and EA groups which were further divided into 1

3and 7dsubgroups(12rats/subgroup

6rats in each subgroup for TUNEL or Western blot

separately).SCI model was established by using the modified Allen's method.EA was applied to GV 14 and GV 4for 20 min

once daily

for 1

3and 7days

respectively.Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan(BBB)scale was adopted to assess the locomotor function of rats

the TUNEL method was used to examine neuronal apoptosis of injuried spinal cord

and the expression of phosphorylated(p)-c-Jun protein of T9-T11 spinal cord was detected by using Western blot.Results After modeling

the BBB scores of SCI rats on day 1

3and 7were significantly decreased(P<0.01)

while the numbers of apoptotic neuronal cells and the expression levels of p-c-Jun protein in the spinal cord were considerably increased at the 3time-points in the model group(P<0.01

P<0.05).Following EA intervention

the decreased BBB scores on day 3and 7

and the increased numbers of apoptotic neuronal cells on day 1

3and 7and the upregulated expression levels of p-c-Jun protein on day 3and 7were obviously suppressed(P<0.05

P<0.01).ConclusionEA intervention can improve the locomotor function of SCI rats

which may be related to its effects in reducing neuronal apoptosis and down-regulating p-c-Jun protein in the injuried spinal cord.