Objective To study the possible mechanism of elongated needle therapy for acute spinal cord injury.Methods Totally 135 Japanese rabbits were randomized into the sham operation group

model group and elongated needle therapy group

with 45 in each.The T13-L1 acute spinal cord injury models were established in the model group and elongated needle therapy group.The sham operation group and model group were not given any stimulation.The elongated needle therapy group was given elongated needling on bilateral points Zhibian（ BL54） and Shuidao（ ST28）

and common acupuncture needling on Qihai（ CV6） and Zhongji（ CV3）.The morphological changes of spinal cord were observed.The expressions of Fas

Caspase-3

Fas mRNA and Caspase-3 mRNA were detected.Results The spinal boundary was clear and neuronal cell structure was intact in the sham operation group.The spinal structure was disordered and the nucleus of neuronal cells was disappeared in the model group.The damage of spinal structure and neuronal cells was slight in the elongated needle therapy group.Comparing with the sham operation group

the expressions of Fas

Caspase-3

Fas mRNA and Caspase-3 mRNA were significantly increased in the model group on the 1st

3rd

and 5th days after operation（ P < 0.05 or P < 0.01）.The expressions of Caspase-3 and Caspase-3 mRNA were significantly decreased in the elongated needle therapy group on the 3rd

and 5th days after operation

and the expressions of Fas and Fas mRNA were significantly decreased in the elongated needle therapy group on the 3rd day after operation（ P < 0.05 or P < 0.01）.Conclusion The elongated needle therapy has an obvious protective effect on acute spinal cord injury

which may be relevant to inhibiting the expressions of Fas and Caspase-3.