Efficient combined use of electroacupuncture with ordered collagen scaffolds enhances the therapeutic efficacy of human spinal cord-derived neural progenitor cells therapy in spinal cord injury rats.

Most spinal cord injury (SCI) patients experience severe morbidity and permanent disability. Currently, effective clinical treatments remain limited. Beyond direct nerve damage, spinal cord lesions result in atrophy of lower limb muscles, thereby impeding motor function recovery. Our therapeutic approach for repairing complete SCI combines traditional Chinese electroacupuncture stimulation of the Jiaji (EX-B2) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints with the transplantation of human spinal cord-derived neural progenitor cells (hsc-NPCs) delivered on an ordered collagen scaffold. Results indicated that electroacupuncture was applied both to enhance the efficacy of hsc-NPCs therapy for nerve regeneration at the lesion site and to prevent muscle atrophy, contributing to motor function recovery. This innovative approach integrates Eastern and Western medical perspectives to pursue breakthroughs in SCI treatment.