Abstract:Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture on rats with neurogenic bladder (detrusor hyperreflex) after complete supraorbital spinal cord injury (SSCI), and to investigate the mechanism of electroacupuncture based on Wnt/β -catenin signaling pathway regulating the expression of Cyclin D1 and Ngn1 mRNA and protein in spinal cord tissue. Methods Sixty female SPF SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (12 rats) and model group (48 rats). The model group rats with complete SSCI induced by surgery was evaluated by BBB score and urodynamics. On the two weeks after surgery, the rats of model replication successful were randomly divided into model control group, electroacupuncture group, and electroacupuncture control group, with 12 rats in per group. The electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at 'Dazhui' point and 'Ciliao' point ('Ciliao' point replacement around the next day); the electroacupuncture control group was treated with electroacupuncture at the 1cm acupuncture point next to the 'Dazhui' point and 'Ciliao'point. The electroacupuncture used Dilatational wave (10 Hz/9 s, 50 Hz/5 s) for 20 min, and the intensity was suitable for regular contraction and twitching at the acupuncture point, once a day for a week in a row. After the last electroacupuncture intervention, the urodynamic test was performed in each group, and the expression levels of Cyclin D1, Ngn1 mRNA, and protein in the spinal cord tissues of rats were detected by Western blotting, RT-PCR, and IHC. Results Urodynamic testing: Compared with the sham operation group, the bladder base pressure and maximum pressure were increased in the other groups, and the bladder maximum capacity and compliance were decreased. The pressure of the bladder leak point in the model control group and electroacupuncture control group were increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the model control group, the bladder base pressure, maximum pressure, and leak point pressure were decreased in the electroacupuncture group, the bladder maximum capacity and compliance were increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the electroacupuncture group, the bladder basic pressure, maximum pressure, and leak point pressure were increased in the electroacupuncture control group, while the bladder maximum capacity and compliance were decreased (P < 0.05). Cyclin D1 mRNA and protein expression: Compared with the sham operation group, the expression levels of Cyclin D1 mRNA and protein in the other groups were increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the model control group, the expression levels of Cyclin D1 mRNA and protein in the electroacupuncture group were increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the electroacupuncture group, the expression levels of Cyclin D1 mRNA and protein in the electroacupuncture control group were decreased (P < 0.05). Ngn1 protein expression: Compared with the sham operation group, the expression levels of Ngn1 protein in the model control groups and electroacupuncture control group were decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the model control group, the expression levels of Ngn1 protein in the electroacupuncture group were increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the electroacupuncture group, the expression levels of Ngn1 protein in the electroacupuncture control group were decreased (P < 0.05). Ngn1 mRNA expression: Compared with the sham operation group, the expression levels of Ngn1 mRNA in the other groups were decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the model control group, the expression levels of Ngn1 mRNA in the electroacupuncture group were increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the electroacupuncture group, the expression levels of Ngn1 mRNA in the electroacupuncture control group were decreased (P < 0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture on 'Dazhui' point and 'Ciliao' point has a significant effect on improving urodynamics of rats with neurogenic bladder (detrusor hyperreflex) after completes SSCI, and its mechanism is achieved by regulating the Cyclin D1 and Ngn1 mRNA and protein expression in Wnt/β -catenin signal pathway, promote the proliferation and activation of ENSCs in the spinal cord.