Abstract: Objective To investigate the influence of spinal cord injury on intestinal function in mice after a short period. Methods 105 Kunming mice were randomly assigned to normal group (group A, n=30), sham group (group B, n=30) and model group (group C, n=45). Group A received no treatment, group B was only exposed the spinal cord, while group C was induced by a constant compression with a modified arterial forcep at T10 to establish spinal cord injury model. 12 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours after modeling, myoelectric slow wave activity and tension activity of the ileum were tested, and HE staining was used. Results Compared with groups A and B, the slow wave activity was significantly weaker in group C at every time point (P<0.05), so was the amplitude of tension activity (P<0.05). Frequency of tension activity was obviously higher in group C than in groups A and B 24 hours and 48 hours after modeling (P<0.05). The injury scores were higher in group C than in groups A and B (P<0.05). Conclusion There is reduce in myoelectric slow wave activity, tension activity of the ileum and mild injury in intestinal mucosa in mice after spinal cord injury in the early stage.

Key words: spinal cord injury, intestine, dysfunction, mice