Objective　　　 To determine the activity of autophagy in neurons and the expression of autophagy related proteins in rats after spinal cord injury (SCI).　　　 Methods　　　 Twenty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups

that is

sham-operation

and 6

12

24

48

and 72 h after injury groups (n=4 for each group). The rats from the first group were given resection of T10 vertebral plate

while those of other groups were subjected to spinal contusion using an Allen’s injury process. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to observe the ultrastructure of the injured region and the formation of autophagic vacuoles. Immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting were used to detect the location and expression of LC3 and BNIP3 after SCI at different time points.　　　 Results　　　 Neuron autophagy was activated in injured spinal cord in 48 h after injury. Western blotting demonstrated that the expression of LC3-Ⅱ was significantly increased in 48 h after injury (P0.01)

and that of BNIP3 was up-regulated in 12 h (P0.05). LC3 and BNIP3 positive neurons were accumulated in the lesions.　　　 Conclusion　　　 SCI activates neuron autophagy and autophagy markers LC3 and BNIP3 in the damaged neural tissue.