Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of transcutaneous electrical stimulationon on Jiaji acupoint (Ex-B 05) on the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods Ninety healthy adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group (group A, n=30), transcutaneous electrical stimulation treatment group (group B, n=30) and control group (group C, n=30). Allen's method was used to establish the model of acute SCI in T9. All of them were assessed with Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scale and Slanting Board Test, and the expression of GFAP, NF-κB and IL-6 of the spinal cord were detected with immunohistochemistry one, three and seven days after operation. Results The results of BBB scale and Slanting Board Test were better in group B than in group C three and seven days after SCI (t>3.349, P<0.01). The expression of GFAP, NF-κB and IL-6 was lower in group B than in group C at all the time points after SCI (t>20.815, P<0.001). Conclusion Transcutaneous electrical stimulation can inhibit the inflammation and the expression of GFAP in spinal cord after SCI, and improve the motor function in rats after SCI.

Key words: spinal cord injury, transcutaneous electrical stimulation, glial fibrillary acidic protein, nuclear factor kappa B, interleukin- 6, rats