Objective To investigate the protective effect of exogenous oxygen and superoxide dismutase (SOD) on acute spinal cord injury. Methods A rabbit model of L2 spinal cord injury was produced by Allen's method, and then the rabbits were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. In the experimental group, the rabbits received exogenous oxygen, SOD or both 30 min after injury. 12h after injury, the amount of MDA and SOD of spinal tissues were determined, and pathological changes of spinal cord were observed at the fourth weeks after injury. Results Combinant administration of exogenous oxygen and SOD could inhibit MDA production and increase SOD activities, effect of which was stronger that single administration (P