SD大鼠动眼神经不同部位损伤后对靶器官特异性支配的实验研究

目的研究不同部位损伤对Sprague-Dawley（SD）大鼠动眼神经功能修复的影响及可能机制。方法实验Ⅰ组大鼠（n=24）经幕下、实验Ⅱ组（n=24）大鼠经眶上裂干预动眼神经，术后通过前庭眼反射评估眼外肌在垂直、水平方向的恢复程度。经右侧上直肌注射辣根过氧化酶（HRP），逆行追踪中脑动眼神经核团内神经元分布；48h后行动眼神经组织学、解剖学研究。结果实验Ⅰ组大鼠支配上直肌的神经纤维有45％～51％由对侧中脑运动神经元发出：实验Ⅱ组81％～87％由对侧中脑运动神经元发出，神经元在中脑的分布更接近正常大鼠。实验Ⅱ组大鼠眼外肌功能恢复程度明显优于实验Ⅰ组大鼠。结论动眼神经损伤部位距离眼外肌越近，最终的神经功能恢复水平越好，这可能与再生神经纤维通过损伤部位时的迷行程度相关。     

嗅黏膜嗅鞘细胞与肌基膜管联合移植修复脊髓损伤

目的：观察嗅黏膜来源的嗅鞘细胞与肌基膜管联合移植后对脊髓损伤的修复效果。 方法：1只SD大鼠行背正中切口，顺椎旁肌纤维切除约1.5 cm×0.8 cm×0.6 cm的肌条，复温、漂洗并挤压肌条以排出肌浆，制成肌基膜管。4只SD大鼠麻醉后取出嗅黏膜，胶原酶消化法分离培养嗅鞘细胞，调整浓度至1011 L-1。取SD大鼠50只，随机分成5组：嗅鞘细胞+肌基膜管联合组、嗅鞘细胞组、肌基膜管组、模型组、正常组，10只/组。除正常组外，其余组均建立脊髓损伤模型，于T10横断脊髓并切除约2 mm，将培养7 d的嗅鞘细胞与肌基膜管按组别分别植入脊髓断端，模型组用浸有DMEM的凝胶海绵桥接横断的脊髓。 结果：移植后第8周，嗅鞘细胞+肌基膜管联合组、嗅鞘细胞组大鼠运动功能明显恢复，出现大关节大幅度运动，且前者运动功能BBB评分升高尤为显著（P < 0.01）；肌基膜管组大鼠仅见小关节轻微活动；模型组大鼠后肢挛缩重，无明显功能恢复。嗅鞘细胞+肌基膜管联合组后肢体感诱发电位及运动诱发电位的潜伏期显著低于其他各组（P < 0.01）。苏木精-伊红染色和核转录因子免疫组化染色结果显示，嗅鞘细胞+肌基膜管联合组、嗅鞘细胞组的移植物与损伤脊髓整合较好，未见明显空洞，有大量染色呈阳性的纤维，纤维较长，由近侧端长入远侧端；肌基膜管组有空洞形成，染色阳性的纤维数量少，纤维细小且排列紊乱；模型组端断间充满瘢痕组织，未见明显染色阳性纤维。 结论：嗅鞘细胞移植可促进脊髓损伤后的轴突再生，肌基膜管作为一种生物管道，两者联合应用可明显促进脊髓损伤后的轴突再生及功能恢复。     

IMPACT OF DIFFERENT INJURY SITES IN S-D RATS’ OCULOMOTOR NERVES

目的：研究不同部位损伤对Sprague-Dawley(以下简称S-D)大鼠动眼神经功能修复的影响及可能机制。方法：经幕下和眶上裂切断和修复动眼神经，术后通过前庭眼反射评估眼外肌在垂直、水平方向的恢复程度，经右侧上直肌注射HRP逆行追踪中脑动眼神经核团内神经元分布，动眼神经组织学、解剖学研究。结果：经眶上裂干预动眼神经的实验组大鼠新生神经纤维对眼外肌支配的特异性较高，其眼外肌功能恢复程度明显优于经幕下干预动眼神经的实验组大鼠。结论：动眼神经损伤部位距离眼外肌越近，最终的神经功能恢复水平就越好，其机理可能与再生神经纤维通过损伤部位时的迷行程度有关。     

接受嗅鞘细胞移植脊髓损伤大鼠电生理及后肢功能变化

背景：研究证实嗅鞘细胞有利于神经元存活,并可促进轴突再生。 目的：探讨嗅鞘细胞移植治疗大鼠脊髓损伤的效果。 方法：健康成年雌性SD大鼠40只,随机分为盐水对照组、细胞移植组,20只/组。另取10只SD大鼠用于嗅鞘细胞的分离培养。盐水对照组、细胞移植组大鼠均建立脊髓损伤模型,取双侧第8~10对肋间神经各2 cm,交叉植入脊髓缺损处(近端白质与远端灰质、远端白质与近端灰质),细胞移植组局部注射嗅鞘细胞2×106个,盐水对照组局部注射等量无菌生理盐水。通过体感诱发电位和运动诱发电位的检测,观察神经电生理恢复情况;BBB后肢运动功能评分结果;通过BDA顺行神经示踪,观察运动传导束恢复情况。 结果与结论：细胞移植组大鼠体感诱发电位及运动诱发电位的潜伏期、波幅明显优于盐水对照组(P < 0.01);细胞移植组大鼠BBB后肢运动功能评分较生理盐水组明显提高(P < 0.01);细胞移植组脊髓损伤区有较多BDA标记阳性神经纤维通过,其数量明显多于盐水对照组(P < 0.01)。证实局部注射嗅鞘细胞可以较好地恢复大鼠脊髓损伤后的神经电生理及后肢运动功能。     

黄芪注射液对大鼠红核神经元逆行溃变的影响

目的探讨黄芪注射液对大鼠红核神经元逆行溃变的影响。方法将48只SD大鼠随机分为4组:正常组、假手术组、实验组和模型对照组,每组12只。假手术组在脊髓C3、C4之间切开黄韧带。实验组和模型对照组在脊髓C3、C4之间外侧索横断损伤红核脊髓束,随后分别以黄芪注射液和生理盐水进行腹腔注射。4周后,各组取6只大鼠将轴突示踪剂生物素葡聚糖胺(BDA)注入红核进行顺行示踪,检测轴浆顺行运输能力;另外6只大鼠行尼氏染色显示红核神经元形态及数目。结果实验组和模型对照组被BDA标记轴突的相对面积及数目低于正常组或假手术组(均P0.01),实验组被BDA标记轴突的相对面积及数目明显高于模型对照组(均P0.01);实验组和模型对照组存活的红核神经元数目和平均截面积均低于正常组或假手术组(均P0.01),实验组的红核神经元数目和平均截面积均高于模型对照组(均P0.01)。结论黄芪注射液可通过改善轴浆运输能力,提高胞体的存活率,从而对逆行溃变的红核神经元具有保护作用。     

成年S-D大鼠动眼神经核的显微解剖学研究

目的研究成年S-D大鼠动眼神经核的显微解剖学特征。方法成年S-D大鼠30只,经右眼球结膜入路行单眼外肌肌鞘内注射辣根过氧化物酶(HRP),逆行标记中脑动眼神经运动神经元,48小时后取中脑组织切片还原显色(TMB法),并在光镜和电镜下观察。结果动眼神经核的运动神经元直径平均为(19.20±1.15)μm,单侧核内的运动神经元总数为(1467±57.55)个,其中支配内直肌(424±41.39)个,支配上直肌(338±19.90)个,支配下直肌(238±20.01)个,支配下斜肌(276±16.72)个,支配提上睑肌(191±8.51)个。各组神经元有相对固定的解剖位置,其中下斜肌神经元位于核的背侧中间部,下直肌神经元位于核的背内侧,内直肌神经元位于核的腹内侧,上直肌神经元位于核的腹外侧,提上睑肌神经元位于核的外侧中部。结论动眼神经核内的运动神经元按功能不同集中分布(形成各个亚核),各亚核之间存在不同程度重叠,单一眼外肌均有来自双侧的运动神经元支配。     

脑源性神经营养因子基因转染可促进弥漫性轴突损伤神经元修复和轴突再生

应用脂质体将外源脑源性神经营养因子基因导入弥漫性轴突损伤模型大鼠脑内,力图通过脑源性神经营养因子促进神经元再生及修复的作用,促进损伤大鼠的形态功能恢复。结果显示基因转染后弥漫性轴突损伤额叶皮质神经元的形态得到改善,额叶皮质组织神经丝蛋白表达增加,证实脑源性神经营养因子可促进弥漫性轴突损伤后神经元的修复及轴突的再生。     

人胚神经干细胞条件化培养基促进脊髓损伤大鼠皮质脊髓束再生

目的 研究神经干细胞条件化培养基对脊髓损伤大鼠（SCI）皮质脊髓束（CST）再生的促进作用。方法 成年雌性Wistar大鼠30只随机分为两组，神经干细胞条件化培养基治疗组和培养基对照组各15只，所有大鼠于T11水平横切脊髓。治疗组15只大鼠从固定在大鼠皮下Ommaya囊内注入神经干细胞条件化培养基，每周1次，每次注入5μl，对照组从Ommaya囊内注入同等量未培养过干细胞的培养基。利用Basso-Beattie—Bresnahan（BBB）评分客观评价后肢运动功能的恢复，检测生物素葡聚糖胺（Biotin dextran amine，BDA）示踪标记CST的再生，检测损伤部位远端的突触素表达情况。结果 所有大鼠在脊髓损伤后出现下肢截瘫，神经干细胞条件化培养基治疗组的大鼠表现为后肢运动功能的逐渐恢复，BDA标记的再生的轴突穿过了损伤处到达了脊髓的远端；对照组仅表现为轻微的组织和功能变化。治疗组大鼠脊髓在脊髓损伤处远端的神经元和BDA标记的轴突位置有突触素表达，对照组没有突触素表达。结论 神经干细胞条件化培养基可以促进SCI大鼠CST的再生以及CST和神经元之间的解剖学重建；神经于细胞治疗SCI可能通过支持治疗而非替代治疗。     

嗅鞘细胞移植治疗大鼠脑损伤：可行性分析及效果验证

背景：脑损伤是中枢神经系统的一种严重创伤,如何促进脑损伤后的神经再生和功能恢复尤为棘手。嗅鞘细胞有利于神经元存活,并促进轴突再生。 目的：进一步探讨嗅鞘细胞移植治疗大鼠脑损伤的可行性及效果。 方法：健康成年SD雄性大鼠90只,取10只用于制备嗅鞘细胞,剩余80只随机均分为2组,采用线栓法建立大脑中动脉闭塞模型,1周后细胞移植组经颈动脉将2×106个嗅鞘细胞注入脑缺血大鼠体内,模型对照组同法注入等体积无菌生理盐水。采用爬行记分法检测神经功能缺损情况,苏木精-伊红染色检测损伤脑组织病理变化,免疫组化染色法测定损伤脑组织中胶质原纤维酸性蛋白和神经营养因子受体p75的表达。 结果与结论：与模型对照组比较,脑缺血再灌注后1,2,3,4周细胞移植组神经功能缺损评分均明显降低(P < 0.05);损伤脑组织病理变化减轻,神经细胞变性及坏死数量明显变少,间质水肿较轻。细胞移植组在梗死半球可见大量胶质原纤维酸性蛋白和神经营养因子受体p75阳性细胞,对侧半球及血管内皮细胞处也可见少量分布;模型对照组呈阴性表达。结果进一步验证了嗅鞘细胞移植治疗大鼠缺血性脑损伤是可行有效的。     

Nogo与轴突再生

目的：Nogo-A作为多种抑制神经突再生的成员之一,主要存在于少突胶质细胞(oligodendrocytes)和中枢神经(central nervous system,CNS)髓磷脂中Nogo在成年CNS损伤后,在抑制轴突再生和代偿性纤维生长中发挥重要作用。最近研究发现在损伤大鼠和小鼠脊髓中体内应用Nogo中和抗体、Nogo受体(Nogo-66receptor,NgR)或阻断信号通路后受体Rho-A和ROCK均可导致轴突再生,并伴有功能的改善和恢复。     

Regenerating nerve fiber innervation of extraocular muscles and motor functional changes following oculomotor nerve injuries at different sites

In the present study, the oculomotor nerves were sectioned at the proximal (subtentorial) and distal (superior orbital fissure) ends and repaired. After 24 weeks, vestibulo-ocular reflex evaluation confirmed that the regenerating nerve fibers following oculomotor nerve injury in the superior orbital fissure had a high level of specificity for innervating extraocular muscles. The level of functional recovery of extraocular muscles in rats in the superior orbital fissure injury group was remarkably superior o...     

高压氧联合神经干细胞移植治疗大鼠脊髓损伤

背景：单纯神经干细胞移植已应用于对受损脊髓组织的修复。 目的：以神经干细胞移植同时应用高压氧治疗大鼠脊髓损伤,观察联合作用对脊髓损伤大鼠运动功能恢复的影响。 方法：雌性SD大鼠60只,以半切法制成胸段脊髓半横断大鼠模型。随机分成单纯损伤组、神经干细胞移植组及高压氧治疗组,每组20只。伤后第4周取材行病理切片苏木精-伊红染色及BrdU免疫组织化学染色,第8周取材行辣根过氧化物酶示踪,透射电镜观察轴突的再生情况,通过体感诱发电位观察神经电生理恢复情况。造模后1,2,4,6,8周进行BBB评分和斜板实验等运动功能检测。 结果与结论：观察伤后4周病理切片,单纯损伤组未见神经轴索通过,神经干细胞移植组可见少量神经轴索样结构,高压氧治疗组可见较多神经轴索样结构。BrdU的阳性细胞数及辣根过氧化物酶阳性神经纤维数,高压氧治疗组最多,神经干细胞移植组次之,单纯损伤组最少,且各组之间差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05)。透射电镜下神经干细胞移植组、高压氧治疗组正中横断面可见新生的无髓及有髓神经纤维。高压氧治疗组大鼠体感诱发电位的潜伏期短于神经干细胞移植组,波幅高于神经干细胞移植组(P < 0.05),明显优于单纯损伤组(P < 0.01)。伤后4周神经干细胞移植组、高压氧治疗组大鼠后肢运动功能均有较明显恢复,高压氧治疗组较神经干细胞移植组恢复快(P < 0.05);单纯损伤组亦有所恢复,但程度较轻。提示神经干细胞移植对于脊髓损伤大鼠后肢功能的恢复有促进作用,联合应用高压氧有协同效果。     

Reinnervation of spinal cord anterior horn cells after median nerve repair using transposition with other nerves

Our previous studies have confirmed that during nerve transposition repair to injured peripheral nerves, the regenerated nerve fibers of motor neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord can effectively repair distal nerve and target muscle tissue and restore muscle motor function. To observe the effect of nerve regeneration and motor function recovery after several types of nerve transposition for median nerve defect(2 mm), 30 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, epineurial neurorrhaphy group, musculocutaneous nerve transposition group, medial pectoral nerve transposition group, and radial nerve muscular branch transposition group. Three months after nerve repair, the wrist flexion test was used to evaluate the recovery of wrist flexion after regeneration of median nerve in the affected limbs of rats. The number of myelinated nerve fibers, the thickness of myelin sheath, the diameter of axons and the cross-sectional area of axons in the proximal and distal segments of the repaired nerves were measured by osmic acid staining. The ratio of newly produced distal myelinated nerve fibers to the number of proximal myelinated nerve fibers was calculated. Wet weights of the flexor digitorum superficialis muscles were measured. Muscle fiber morphology was detected using hematoxylin-eosin staining. The cross-sectional area of muscle fibers was calculated to assess the recovery of muscles. Results showed that wrist flexion function was restored, and the nerve grew into the distal effector in all three nerve transposition groups and the epineurial neurorrhaphy group. There were differences in the number of myelinated nerve fibers in each group. The magnification of proximal to distal nerves was 1.80, 3.00, 2.50, and 3.12 in epineurial neurorrhaphy group, musculocutaneous nerve transposition group, medial pectoral nerve transposition group, and radial nerve muscular branch transposition group, respectively. Nevertheless, axon diameters of new nerve fibers, cross-sectional areas of axons, thicknesses of myelin sheath, wet weights of flexor digitorum superficialis muscle and cross-sectional areas of muscle fibers of all three groups of donor nerves from different anterior horn motor neurons after nerve transposition were similar to those in the epineurial neurorrhaphy group. Our findings indicate that donor nerve translocation from different anterior horn motor neurons can effectively repair the target organs innervated by the median nerve. The corresponding spinal anterior horn motor neurons obtain functional reinnervation and achieve some degree of motor function in the affected limbs.     

大鼠面神经切断和切断修复后面神经核内鞘脂激活蛋白原的变化

BACKGROUND： Studies have demonstrated that damaged facial nerves synthesize prosaposin to promote repair of facial neurons. OBJECTIVE： To observe time-course changes of prosaposin expression in the facial nerve nucleus of Sprague Dawley rats following facial nerve transection and repair. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized control neuropathological animal experiment was performed in Chongqing Medical University between March 2007 and September 2008. MATERIALS： A total of 48 adult, male, Sprague Dawley rats were selected and randomly divided into transection and transection ＋ end-to-end anastomosis groups （n =24）. Rabbit anti-rat prosaposin antibody, instant SABC immunohistochemical kit, and antibody dilution solution were purchased from Wuhan Uscn Science Co., Ltd., China. METHODS： In the transection group, the nerve trunk of the distal retroauricular branch of the left facial nerves was ligated in Sprague Dawley rats, and a 5-mm nerve trunk at the distal end of the ligation site was removed. In the transection ＋ end-to-end anastomosis group, epineurial anastomosis was performed immediately following transection of the left facial nerves. The right facial nerves in the two groups served as the normal control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The number of prosaposin-positive neurons, as welt as intensity of immunostaining in facial nerve nucleus, following transection and end-to-end anastomosis were determined by immunohistochemistry at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 35 days after injury. RESULTS： Transection group： transection of facial nerves resulted in increased number of prosaposin-positive neurons and immunoreactivity intensity in the facial nucleus on day 1. These values significantly increased by day 3. Expression was greater than in the control side. The peak of the reduction was reached at 7 days post-surgery. Transection ＋ end-to-end anastomosis group： the number of prosaposin-positive neurons and immunoreactivity intensity was reduced in the facial nerve nucleus following immediate end-to-end anastomosis on day 7 post-surgery. These values began to gradually increase by day 14 post-anastomosis. By day 35 post-anastomosis, the number of prosaposin-positive neurons in the operated side recovered to normal levels. The number of prosaposin-positive neurons, as well as immunoreactivity intensity, was significantly greater in the facial nerve nucleus, compared with the transection group on days 14, 21, and 35 post-surgery （P 〈 0.05）. The rhythmic whisking of vibrissa recovered, and recovery time was consistent with increased numbers of prosaposin-positive neurons. CONCLUSION： Within 7 days after injury, prosaposin expression in the facial nerve nucleus exhibited an initial increase, followed by a decrease, and was not affected by facial nerve repair. Following facial nerve damage, neural anastomosis was shown to increase prosaposin expression in the facial nerve nucleus after 14 days. Recovery of prosaposin occurred simultaneously with reinnervation.     

脊髓损伤大鼠远端神经元及骨骼肌变化的基础研究

目的观察脊髓损伤大鼠远端神经元及骨骼肌变化情况。方法 20只大鼠随机分为2组,每组10只,分别为假手术组和脊髓损伤组,假手术组行椎板切除术,脊髓损伤组行胸10完全脊髓损伤,在制成模型后1、2、4、12、24周观察大鼠坐骨神经-运动终板-内侧腓肠肌形态变化情况。结果脊髓损伤组电镜下坐骨神经术后12周有髓神经纤维髓鞘崩解,其板层结构清晰,有髓神经纤维髓鞘于术后24周模糊、碎裂髓鞘变多,12周后无髓神经纤维及薄髓增多;术后12周腓肠肌光镜下局部肌细胞多数模糊,但边界清楚,结缔组织增生明显,肌细胞核相对聚集;肌细胞于术后24周融合,融合细胞间有空隙,细胞核密集,结缔组织增生明显;术后12周电镜下运动终板突触前后及皱褶膜不可分辨,肌纤维明暗带清晰,突触结构紊乱,z线不连续,高倍镜下突触前后膜不可辨,突触皱褶未见,可见类圆形细小颗粒及突触小泡,肌板结构清晰。结论大鼠脊髓损伤后在损伤平面以下周围神经、运动终板、骨骼肌在形态上会发生规律性变化,12周后显著变化,24周后则毁损性改变。     

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells versus adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells for peripheral nerve regeneration

Studies have confirmed that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) can be used for treatment of several nervous system diseases. However, isolation of bone marrow-derived MSCs(BMSCs) is an invasive and painful process and the yield is very low. Therefore, there is a need to search for other alterative stem cell sources. Adipose-derived MSCs(ADSCs) have phenotypic and gene expression profiles similar to those of BMSCs. The production of ADSCs is greater than that of BMSCs, and ADSCs proliferate faster than BMSCs. To compare the effects of venous grafts containing BMSCs or ADSCs on sciatic nerve injury, in this study, rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham(only sciatic nerve exposed), Matrigel(MG; sciatic nerve injury + intravenous transplantation of MG vehicle), ADSCs(sciatic nerve injury + intravenous MG containing ADSCs), and BMSCs(sciatic nerve injury + intravenous MG containing BMSCs) groups. Sciatic functional index was calculated to evaluate the function of injured sciatic nerve. Morphologic characteristics of nerves distal to the lesion were observed by toluidine blue staining. Spinal motor neurons labeled with Fluoro-Gold were quantitatively assessed. Compared with sham-operated rats, sciatic functional index was lower, the density of small-diameter fibers was significantly increased, and the number of motor neurons significantly decreased in rats with sciatic nerve injury. Neither ADSCs nor BMSCs significantly improved the sciatic nerve function of rats with sciatic nerve injury, increased fiber density, fiber diameters, axonal diameters, myelin sheath thickness, and G ratios(axonal diameter/fiber diameter ratios) in the sciatic nerve distal to the lesion site. There was no significant difference in the number of spinal motor neurons among ADSCs, BMSCs and MG groups. These results suggest that neither BMSCs nor ADSCs provide satisfactory results for peripheral nerve repair when using MG as the conductor for engraftment.     

坐骨神经损伤模型大鼠神经传导速度及损伤运动神经元内生长相关蛋白43表达与磁刺激干预

背景：磁刺激可促进损伤神经的修复。 目的：观察磁刺激对大鼠损伤坐骨神经神经传导速度及相应水平脊髓运动神经元内生长相关蛋白43表达的影响。 方法：将60只SD大鼠随机分为实验组(n=24)、模型组(n=24)和假手术组(n=12),用一新的长17 cm的止血钳钳夹坐骨神经至第二扣,以21.95×103 Pa维持10 s制备损伤模型。造模后24 h,实验组每天给予0.09 T的磁刺激。 结果与结论：造模后第2,4,8,12周,免疫组织化学染色显示实验组脊髓L4~5运动神经元生长相关蛋白43的表达较模型组相应时间点明显增高( P < 0. 05);造模后12周,电生理检测发现,与模型组比较,实验组再生神经传导速度加快,波幅升高,潜伏期缩短(P < 0.05)。说明磁刺激能提高损伤坐骨神经的传导速度,增加其对应脊髓节段运动神经元中生长相关蛋白43的表达,对大鼠损伤坐骨神经的修复起促进作用。     

Pulsed electrical stimulation protects neurons in the dorsal root and anterior horn of the spinal cord after peripheral nerve injury

Most studies on peripheral nerve injury have focused on repair at the site of injury, but very few have examined the effects of repair strategies on the more proximal neuronal cell bodies. In this study, an approximately 10-mm-long nerve segment from the ischial tuberosity in the rat was transected and its proximal and distal ends were inverted and sutured. The spinal cord was subjected to pulsed electrical stimulation at T10 and L3, at a current of 6.5 m A and a stimulation frequency of 15 Hz, 15 minutes per session, twice a day for 56 days. After pulsed electrical stimulation, the number of neurons in the dorsal root ganglion and anterior horn was increased in rats with sciatic nerve injury. The number of myelinated nerve fibers was increased in the sciatic nerve. The ultrastructure of neurons in the dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord was noticeably improved. Conduction velocity of the sciatic nerve was also increased. These results show that pulsed electrical stimulation protects sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia as well as motor neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord after peripheral nerve injury, and that it promotes the regeneration of peripheral nerve fibers.     

Acute pathological changes of facial nucleus and expressions of postsynaptic density protein-95 following facial nerve injury of varying severity★ A semi-quantitative analysis

BACKGROUND： Previous studies have demonstrated that postsynaptic density protein-95 （PSD-95） is widely distributed in the central nervous system and is related to the development of the CNS and sensory signal transmission as well as acute or chronic nerve cell death following ischemic brain injury. OBJECTIVE： To semi-quantitatively determine the pathological changes of apoptotic facial neurons and the expression of PSD-95 in the facial nucleus following facial nerve injury of varying extents using immunohistochemical staining methods. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Randomized, controlled animal experiments were performed in the Ultrasonic Institute of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing University of Medical Sciences from September to December 2007. MATERIALS： Sixty-five healthy, adult, Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats, both male and female, were used for this study. Rabbit anti-rat PSD-95 polyclonal antibody was purchased from Beijing Biosynthesis Biotechnology Co., Ltd. METHODS： SD rats were randomly assigned into a control group with five rats and three injured groups with 20 rats per group. Exposure, clamp and cut for bilateral facial nerve trunks were performed in the rats of the injury groups, and no injury was inflicted on the rats of the control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES; The brainstems of all the rats were excised on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 post injury, and then the facial nuclei were stained with hematoxylin-eosin to observe any pathological changes due to apoptosis in facial neurons. PSD-95 expression in facial nuclei was detected by immunohistochemistry and the number of PSD-95 positive cells was counted under a light microscope. RESULTS： The expression of PSD-95 in the facial nucleus and morphology of the facial neuron within the exposure group had no obvious changes at various points in time tested （P 〉 0.05）. However, the expressions of PSD-95 in the facial nucleus of the clamp group and cut group increased on day 1 post injury （P 〈 0.05）, and showed further increase on d