Fig. 1

Nafamostat improved functional recovery at 0–12 h administration time after SCI. A Illustration describing the experiment design for long-term experiments and motor function recovery. B The degree of hindlimb recovery was assessed for 5 w after SCI by BBB score. 7 different FATs of nafamostat (NM) were 0 h, 2 h, 8 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 5 dpi, and FAT of argatroban (Arg) was 8 hpi (data shown as mean ± SEM, two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 vs. the SCI group, n = 6). C Comparison of BBB scores of each group at 5 w point post-injury (data shown as mean ± SEM, one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 vs. the SCI group, n = 6). D Representative SEP and MEP waveform of nerve electrophysiology examination of rats in each group at 5 w post-SCI. E–H Quantification of the amplitude and latency of SEP and MEP in each group at 5 w post-SCI (data shown as mean ± SEM, one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 vs. the SCI group, n = 6)