Influence of different electroacupuncture time on SOD and NO contents in rats with acute spinal cord injury

Objective To discuss the best treatment time of electroacupuncture in rats with acute spinal cord injury. Method All 50 rats were randomly divided into the blank group, model group, electroacupuncture group 1 (needled 2 hours after the model establishment), electroacupuncture group 2 (needled after 6 hours) and electroacupuncture group 3 (needled after 12 hours). The treatment of electroacupuncture was given at the acupoints of Dazhui (GV14) and Mingmen (GV4) with continual pulse current at 2 Hz of frequency and 2~5 mA of intensity for 30 minutes. The spinal samples were collected from all groups 24 hours after model establishment and the content changes of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide (NO) were detected. Result After the treatment of electroacupuncture in rats with acute spinal cord injury the SOD and NO contents changed in injured spinal cord, which was more significant in electroacupuncture group 1 than in electroacupuncture group 2 and electroacupuncture group 3. Conclusion The electroacupuncture given 2 hours after the occurrence of spinal cord injury will have the best time effectiveness.