Erythropoietin-Induced Autophagy Protects Against Spinal Cord Injury and Improves Neurological Function via the Extracellular-Regulated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway.

The objective of this study was to explore the neuroprotective molecular mechanisms of erythropoietin (EPO) in rats following spinal cord injury (SCI). First, a standard SCI model was established. After drug or saline treatment was administered, locomotor function was evaluated in rats using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale.