Figure 7.

Immunohistochemistry indicated that AM increased the protein levels of Gli-1 in spinal cord. Spinal cord tissues were prepared and Gli-1 protein was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The brown positive cells were pointed by black arrows. Representative positive staining of Gli-1 protein in sham, SCI, SCI + AP, SCI + MX and SCI + AM groups at 7 and 14 days after SCI surgery. Ratio of positive cells to total cells was counted. Data are expressed as the mean ± SD (n = 4). & Compared to that from Sham group, P < 0.05; * Compared to that from SCI 7d group, P < 0.05; # Compared to that from SCI 7d group, P < 0.05. SCI: spinal cord injury; AP: acupuncture; MX: moxibustion; AM: acupuncture combined with moxibustion