Electrophysiologic assessment of sciatic nerve regeneration in the rat: Surrounding limb muscles feature strongly in recordings from the gastrocnemius muscle

Rupp, A., Dornseifer, U., Fischer, A., Schmahl, W., Rodenacker, K., Jütting, U., Gais, P., Biemer, E., Papadopulos, N. and Matiasek, K. (2007) Electrophysiologic assessment of sciatic nerve regeneration in the rat: Surrounding limb muscles feature strongly in recordings from the gastrocnemius muscle. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 166(2), pp. 266-277. (doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2007.07.015) (PMID:17854904)

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Abstract

Striking inconsistencies between the results of morphometric and electrophysiologic examinations of the regenerating nerve were observed in a previous study featuring the bridging of a 14 mm gap in the rat sciatic nerve. To shed light on this dichotomy, seven further rats were subjected to permanent sciatic nerve transection and assessed electrophysiologically, histologically and by retrograde axonal tracing at various postoperative intervals (1 h to 8 weeks). The results of the histological examinations and retrograde tracing revealed that in spite of the fact that compound muscle action potentials could be recorded in the gastrocnemius muscle, no reinnervation of the gastrocnemius muscle, either physiological or aberrant, had actually taken place. Furthermore, it was established that the electrical activity recorded in the gastrocnemius muscle after stimulation of the proximal or distal stump is generated by surrounding hind limb muscles unaffected by denervation. These are stimulated either directly, or indirectly due to spreading of the impulse. It is therefore strongly recommended that caution should be exercised when interpreting recordings from the gastrocnemius muscle after stimulation of a regenerating sciatic nerve in laboratory rodents.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Rupp, Dr Angie
Authors: Rupp, A., Dornseifer, U., Fischer, A., Schmahl, W., Rodenacker, K., Jütting, U., Gais, P., Biemer, E., Papadopulos, N., and Matiasek, K.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Journal of Neuroscience Methods
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0165-0270
ISSN (Online):1872-678X
Published Online:28 July 2007

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