BACKGROUND:Numerous clinical and basic studies have shown that electroacupuncture can improve the function of neurogenic bladder after suprasacral spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on bladder function and connective tissue growth factor expression in rats with suprasacral spinal cord injury. METHODS:Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups(n=12 per group):the blank group did not receive any treatment;the sham-operated group only exposed the T8 subvertebral spinal cord;in the model group established,a T8 subvertebral spinal cord transection injury model was established;in the electroacupuncture group,the T8 subvertebral spinal cord transection injury model was established,and electroacupuncture intervention at Ciliao(BL32),Zhongji(RN03)and Sanyinjiao(SP06)was given at 19 days after modeling,20 minutes once a day,for 10 continuous days.After the intervention,the relevant indicators were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Urodynamics:Compared with the blank group,the leakage point pressure,maximum bladder capacity and maximum bladder pressure of rats in the model group increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the leakage point pressure,maximum bladder capacity and maximum bladder pressure of rats in the electroacupuncture group decreased(P<0.05).Hematoxylin-eosin staining:Compared with the blank group,the bladder epithelial cells in the model group were arranged in a disordered manner,the lamina propria was destroyed,the detrusor muscle bundles were hypertrophied,the muscle fibers were arranged in a disordered manner,and the tissue edema was obvious.Compared with the model group,the bladder epithelial cells in the electroacupuncture group were arranged in a regular and orderly manner,and the degree of bladder fibrosis and tissue edema was relatively reduced.Masson staining:The degree of bladder detrusor muscle fibrosis was severe in the model group and it was lighter in the electroacupuncture group than in the model group.Transmission electron microscopy:Mitochondria in the bladder tissue in the model group were swollen and vacuolated,the morphology of the detrusor muscle was twisted and distorted,and the muscle gap was widened.Compared with the model group,mitochondria in the electroacupuncture group had a slightly clearer contour and were less vacuolated,and the muscle gap was narrowed.Western blot detection:The protein expression of connective tissue growth factor in the detrusor muscle of the bladder was elevated in the model group compared with the blank group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the protein expression of connective tissue growth factor in the bladder detrusor muscle was decreased in the electroacupuncture group(P<0.05).To conclude,electroacupuncture at Ciliao(BL32),Zhongji(RN03)and Sanyinjiao(SP06)acupoints can improve the morphology,structure and function of the bladder in rats with suprasacral spinal cord injury,and the mechanism of action may be related to the down-regulation of connective tissue growth factor protein expression in the detrusor muscle.