Peripheral axotomy-induced changes of motor function and histological structure of spinal anterior horn

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes of both peripheral motor function and histology of spinal anteriorhorn in adult rats after unilateral sciatectomy. Ten adult healthy rats served as control group, while in the ten ratexperimental group the right sciatic nerve was severed. We followed-up nerve motor function using a sciaticfunction index and electromyography activity of the gastrocnemious muscle. The rats of the experimental grouppresented the expected gross locomotor deficit and leg muscle atrophy. At ۱۲ weeks post sciatectomy, L۴ andL۵ spinal cord segments were removed from the twenty rats and were analysed by istological stereologicalmethods. In the axotomized animals volume of the anterior horn and its content of motor neurons decreased,while the content of astrocytes increased (p < ۰.۰۵). Thus, in adult rats, beside the obvious peripheral nervedisfuction, the sciatic nerve axotomy have severe consequences on the soma of the injured motor neurons inthe spinal anterior horn. All these quantitative analyses may be usefull to quantify changes occurring in adultanimals after axotomy and eventual management to modify the final outcomes in peripheral nerve disorders.

کلیدواژه ها:

Peripheral axotomy ، anterior horn ، degeneration ، motor function ، stereology.