Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of tilting table exercise and shengmaiyin on alpha 1 adrenogenic receptor (α1AR) in the superior mesenteric artery after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rabbits.Methods 46 rabbits were randomly divided into the sham group (n=6), SCI group (n=10), shenmaiyin group (n=10), exercise group (n=10) and combined treatment (shenmaiyin plus exercise) group (n=10). The rabbit model of SCI was established by complete transection of spinal cord at the T₅ spinal segment. Tilting table exercise and shengmaiyin were applied to different groups for 28 days from 4 days after operation. The expression of α1aAR,α1bAR,α1dAR mRNA in the superior mesenteric artery was detected by RT-PCR at 31d after SCI.Results The mRNA expressions of α1aAR, α1bAR, α1dAR subtypes increased to different extent in rabbits of the shengmaiyin group, exercise group and combined treatment group compared with those of SCI group.Conclusion The role of tilting table exercise and shengmaiyin improving orthostatic hypotension after SCI in rabbits may be related to up-regulation of α1aAR, α1bAR, α1dAR mRNA in the superior mesenteric artery.

Key words: tilting table exercise, shengmaiyin, spinal cord injury, orthostatic hypotension, alpha 1 adrenogenic receptor