Long-term anodal block stimulation at sacral anterior roots promoted recovery of neurogenic bladder function in a rabbit model of complete spinal cord injury☆

A complete spinal cord injury model was established in experimental rabbits using the spinal cord clip compression method. Urodynamic examination was performed 2 weeks later to determine neurogenic bladder status. The rabbits were treated with anodal block stimulation at sacral anterior roots for 4 weeks. Electrical stimulation of sacral anterior roots improved urodynamic parameters of neurogenic bladder in rabbit models of complete spinal cord injury, effectively promoted urinary function, and relieved urinary retention. Immunohistochemistry results showed that a balance was achieved among expression of muscarinic receptor subunits M2, M3, ATP-gated ion channel P2X3 receptors, and β2-adrenergic receptor, and nerve growth factor expression decreased. These results suggested that long-term sacral anterior root stimulation of anodal block could be used to treat neurogenic bladder in a rabbit model of complete spinal cord injury.