fig1

Figure 1. Apipuncture improves locomotor performance in SCI rats. The results of apipuncture at GV3 and ST36 acupoints [BV (ST36 + GV3)-SCI, n = 7] were compared to apipuncture at non-acupoints [BV (NP)-SCI, n = 8], control group without manipulation (CTL-SCI, n = 7) and Sham (n = 7) in rats submitted to compression SCI model. BV (ST36 + GV3)-SCI had higher BBB scores (A) at 7, 10, 14, 21, 28 and 25 days after SCI and lower footfalls in Grid-walking test (B) than CTL-SCI and BV (NP)-SCI groups at 35 days after SCI. Values are presented as mean ± SEM. *P < 0.05 and ***P < 0.001 compared to CTL-SCI and BV (NP)-SCI groups. BV: bee venom; NP: non-acupoints; BBB: Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan; SCI: spinal cord injury