GRADUAL NERVE ELONGATION AFFECTS NERVE CELL BODIES AND NEURO-MUSCULAR JUNCTIONS

• Published in: Hand surgery Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 7 - 15
• Main Authors: Kazuo Ikeda, K. I., Masaki Matsuda, M. M., Daisuke Yamauchi, D. Y., Katsuro Tomita, K. T., Shigenori Tanaka, S. T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore World Scientific Publishing Company 01.07.2005
• Subjects: Animals; GAP-43 Protein - metabolism; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Models, Animal; Muscle, Skeletal - pathology; Neuromuscular Junction - pathology; Neuromuscular Junction - physiology; Neurons - metabolism; Neurons - pathology; Neurosurgical Procedures - methods; Organ Size; Rabbits; Retrograde Degeneration - metabolism; Sciatic Nerve - metabolism; Sciatic Nerve - pathology; Sciatic Nerve - surgery; Nerve Elongation; Neuro-muscular Junction; Axon Reaction; Lengthening; Growth Associated Protein-43 (GAP-43); Nerve Cell Body
• ISSN: 0218-8104; 1793-6535
• DOI: 10.1142/S0218810405002401

The purpose of this study is to clarify the reactions of the neuro-muscular junction and nerve cell body to gradual nerve elongation. The sciatic nerves of Japanese white rabbits were lengthened by 30 mm in increments of 0.8 mm/day, 2.0 mm/day and 4.0 mm/day. A scanning electron microscopic examination showed no degenerative change at the neuro-muscular junction, even eight weeks after elongation in the 4-mm group. Hence, neuro-muscular junction is not critical for predicting damage from gradual nerve elongation. There were no axon reaction cells in the 0.8-mm group, a small amount in the 2-mm group, and a large amount in the 4-mm group. The rate of growth associated protein-43 positive nerve cells was significant in the 4-mm group. Hence, the safe speed for nerve cells appeared to be 0.8-mm/day, critical speed to be 2.0-mm/day, and dangerous speed to be 4.0-mm/day in this elongation model.