ALA administration enhances BSCB integrity following SCI. (A) Representative fluorescent images showing Evan’s blue extravasation at the spinal parenchyma. Scale bar = 50 μm. (B) Quantification of extravasated Evan’s blue (n = 4). *, P < 0.05 versus SCI group; **, P < 0.01 versus SCI group. (C to D) Expression of occludin, ZO-1 and MMP-9 4 weeks after SCI examined by Western blotting, and semi-quantitative analysis (n = 4). ALA, β-alanine.