(A) ELISA results from homogenized spinal cord tissue indicated increased levels of inflammatory factors (G-CSF, IL-6, CXCL10, LIF, CCL-3, CCL-2) in the DCM-E + Dec group compared with the DCM-E group acutely after decompression (at 24 hours). *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01, two-way ANOVA, Bonferroni post-hoc. A group of naive animals with the same age as the animals at 5 weeks after decompression was also included. Naive (n = 3–4), DCM-E (n = 5), and DCM-E + DC groups (n = 5–6). (B) At 24 hours after delayed decompression, the DCM-D + Dec group presented a significant increase levels of G-CSF, IL-6, CXCL10, LIF, CCL-3, and CCL-2 compared with the DCM-D group. Moreover, levels of CXCL10, LIF, CCL-3, and CCL-2 were elevated at 2 and 5 weeks in the DCM-D + Dec group compared with the DCM-D group. Naive animals matching the age of animals at 5 weeks after decompression were included for reference. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P ≤ 0.001, two-way ANOVA, Bonferroni post-hoc. Naive (n = 3), DCM-D (n = 5), DCM-D + Dec (n = 5–7). Data are presented as mean ± SEM. DCM, degenerative cervical myelopathy; Dec, decompression; DCM-E, age-matched early sham decompressed group; DCM-D, age-matched delayed sham decompressed group; h, hours; w, weeks.