ATF6 and diabetes mellitus: As shown in Fig. 4A and B, the levels of GRP78, ATF-6 and PDI were increased 1d after injury in the SCI group and these increases were further exacerbated in the DM + SCI group (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 vs sham group, #p < 0.05, ##p < 0.01 vs SCI group), which indicated that diabetes further intensifies the activation of ER stress after injury.