Objective To research the effects of transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) on the expression of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-a) in the ventral horn of rats' spinal cords and in the injured region after spinal cord injury (SCI),and to explore the effects of TES on neuron reconstruction and functional recovery and their mechanisms. Methods Forty-eight Wistar rats were selected and divided using stochastic methods into a model group and a TES group.Using Allen's method,a complete SCI model was created at T9.Rats of the TES group were given TES treatment.Basso-Beattie-Brasnahan ( BBB ) ratings were used to evaluate locomotor function.Both groups were sampled at 1,3,5 and 7 days after the operation.Immunohistochemical techniques were used to detect the expression of NT-3 and TNF-α in the rats' spinal cords at the different time points. Results The post-operative BBB ratings of both groups showed an increasing trend.In the TES group the improvement was significantly better at 5 and 7 days than in the model group.The expression of NT-3 immuno-positive cells increased in both groups,peaking at 5 days post-operation,then declining at day 7.The expression of NT-3 positive cells at days 5 and 7 had increased significantly more in the TES group than in the model group.TNF-α immuno-positive expression increased with time in both groups,but in the TES group the expression increased substantially less than in the model group.At days 5 and 7 post-operation,the expression was significantly lower than in the model group. Conclusions TES can promote NT-3 expression in rats with SCI,inhibit the increase in TNF-α expression,and aid repair and reconstruction of neurons and related functional recovery.