Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture(EA) combined with acellular nerve allograft(ANA) on the morphological structure of spinal ganglion cells and the protein expressions of nerve growth factor(NGF) and phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-Akt) in rats with sciatic nerve injury(SNI)

so as to explore the protective mechanism of EA combined with ANA on spinal ganglia. Methods SPF male SD rats were randomly divided into normal

model

single ANA bridging(bridging) and EA + ANA(combination) groups

with 10 rats in each group. The SNI rat model was established by right sciatic nerve transection. Rats in the bridging group were bridged with ANA to the two broken ends of injured sciatic nerves. Rats in the combination group were treated with EA at “Yanglingquan”(GB34) and “Huantiao”(GB30) 2 d after ANA bridging

with dilatational wave

frequency of 1 Hz/20 Hz

intensity of 1 mA

15 min/d

7 d as a course of treatment for 4 consecutive courses. Sciatic function index(SFI) was observed by footprint test. Wet weight ratio of tibialis anterior muscle was calculated after weighing. Morphology of rat spinal ganglion cells was observed after Nissl staining. The protein expressions of NGF and p-Akt were detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot. Results Compared with the normal group

the SFI and wet weight ratio of tibialis anterior muscle were significantly decreased(P<0.05)

the number of Nissl bodies in spinal ganglion cells was significantly reduced(P<0.05) with dissolution and incomplete structure

the protein expressions of NGF and p-Akt in ganglion cells were significantly decreased(P<0.05) in the model group. Following the interventions and in comparison with the model group

the SFI and the wet weight ratio of tibialis anterior muscle were significantly increased(P<0.05)

the damage of Nissl bodies in ganglion cells was reduced and the number was obviously increased(P<0.05)

and the protein expressions of NGF and p-Akt in ganglion cells were significantly increased(P<0.05) in the bridging and combination groups. Compared with the bridging group

the SFI and the wet weight ratio of tibialis anterior muscle were increased(P<0.05)

the morphology of Nissl bodies in ganglion cells was more regular and the number was increased(P<0.05)

the protein expressions of NGF and p-Akt in spinal ganglion cells were significantly increased(P<0.05) in the combination group. Conclusion EA combined with ANA can improve the SFI and the wet weight ratio of tibialis anterior muscle in SNI rats

improve the morphology and structure of Nissl bodies in spinal ganglion cells

and increase the protein expressions of NGF and p-Akt in spinal ganglion

so as to play a protective role on spinal ganglia.