Western blots of MMP-9 demonstrated up-regulation of protein expression at 6, 24, 48, and 72 h after photothrombotic SCI (mean±SEM, n=5 per time point). *p<0.05 compared with the control group; the Mann-Whitney U test. MMP : matrix metalloproteinases, SCI : spinal cord injury, SEM : standard error of the mean.