The effect of aging on efferent nerve fibers regeneration in mice

• Published in: Brain research Vol. 696; no. 1; pp. 76 - 82
• Main Authors: Verdú, Enrique, Butí, Miquel, Navarro, Xavier
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier B.V 23.10.1995; Amsterdam Elsevier; New York, NY
• Subjects: Aging; Aging - physiology; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Development. Senescence. Regeneration. Transplantation; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Mice; Motor axon; Muscle, Skeletal - innervation; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Nerve Crush; Nerve Fibers - physiology; Nerve regeneration; Nerve Regeneration - physiology; Nerve repair; Neurons, Efferent - physiology; Peripheral Nerves - physiology; Sciatic nerve; Sciatic Nerve - injuries; Sciatic Nerve - physiology; Sudomotor axon; Sweat Glands - innervation; Sweat Glands - physiology; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Aging; Sudomotor axon; Motor axon; Nerve regeneration; Sciatic nerve; Nerve repair; Peripheral nervous system; Regeneration; Vertebrata; Senescence; Mammalia; Mouse; Rodentia; Nerve fiber; Age
• ISSN: 0006-8993; 1872-6240
• DOI: 10.1016/0006-8993(95)00762-F

This study evaluates the influence of aging on nerve regeneration and reinnervation of target organs in mice aged 2, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months. In animals of each age group the sciatic nerve was subjected to crush, section or section and suture. Reinnervation of plantar muscles and sweat glands (SG) was evaluated over three months after operation by functional methods. Reappearance of SG secretion and motor responses occurred slightly earlier in young than older mice. The degree of motor and sudomotor reinnervation, with respect to preoperative control values, was also significantly higher in young than old animals. The differences were more pronounced after 12 months of age. The degree of recovery progressively decreased with the severity of the lesion, differences being more marked in older mice. Neurorraphy improved recovery, comparatively more in older than in young mice. These results indicate that, after injuries of peripheral nerves, axonal regeneration and reinnervation are maintained throughout life, but tend to be more delayed and slightly less effective with aging.