Fig. 4.

Improvement of neurological function recovery after SCI. (A) Experimental timeline of spinal cord contusion to induce SCI and treatment, behavioral testing, histological evaluation, and electrophysiological tests. (B) BBB locomotor scores of the sham, SCI, CC, TC, and TPC groups during treatments for 8 wk in the open field (n = 8). The scores were calculated ranging from 0 (complete paralysis) to 21 (normal locomotion). (C) Inclined plane tests in the sham, SCI, CC, TC, and TPC groups at 4 and 8 wpi (n = 4). (D) Representative footprints with forelimbs (red) and hindlimbs (blue) at 8 wpi. (E–H) Quantitative analysis of rotation angle (E), base of support (F), relative position (G), and stride length (H) based on footprint patterns (n = 4). (I) Experimental design for electrophysiological analysis. (J–O) MEP (J) and SEP (M) signals, quantification of the SEP (K and L) and MEP (N and O) amplitudes and latency at 8 wpi (n = 4). All data represent the mean ± SD. (B and C) Two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test. (E–H, K, L, N, and O) One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, and ****P < 0.0001 compared with the SCI group. ###P < 0.001, and ####P < 0.0001 compared with the TPC group. n.s. = not significant.