Myelinated fiber regeneration after crush injury is retarded in sciatic nerves of aging mice

To compare nerve regeneration in young adult and aging mice, the right sciatic nerves of 6- and 24-month-old mice were crushed at the sciatic notch. Two weeks later, both groups of mice were perfused with an aldehyde solution, and, after additional fixation, the sciatic nerves were processed so that the transverse sections of each nerve subsequently studied by light and electron microscopy included the entire posterior tibial fascicle 5 mm distal to the crush site. The same level was sectioned in unoperated contralateral nerves; these nerves served as controls. Electron micrographs and the Bioquant Image Analysis System IV were used to measure areas of posterior tibial fascicles and count the number of myelinated axons, the number of unmyelinated axons, and their frequency in Schwann cell units. In aging mice, the total number of regenerating myelinated axons was significantly reduced, but totals of regenerating unmyelinated axons in aging and young adults did not differ significantly. In aging mice, the frequency of Schwann cells that contained a single unmyelinated axon was greater, suggesting that before myelination began, Schwann cell ensheathment of axons also was slowed. After axotomy by a crush injury, the area of the posterior tibial fascicle was less than that in young adults and the distal disintegration of myelin sheath remnants also appeared to be retarded. The results indicate that responses of neurons, axons, and Schwann cells could be important in slowing the regeneration of myelinated fibers found in sciatic nerves from aging mice.     

Electrophysiological evaluation in 4 patients with diabetic pseudotabes

BACKGROUND: Researches on diabetic nervous system lesion are mainly focus on peripheral nerve and vegetative nerve, so there are few investigations on diabetic pseudotabes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the electrophysiological examinations on the diagnosis of diabetic pseudotabes. DESIGN: Case study. SETTING: Department of Electrophysiology and Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 4 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, including 3 males and 1 female aged from 50 to 72 years, were selected from Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University from March 2002 to February 2005. All accepted subjects met the modified diagnostic criteria of diabetes mellitus, which was set by American Diabetes Mellitus Association (ADA) in 1997. Otherwise, the subjects had typical symptoms and physical signs of spinal posterior funiculus damage. However, patients with spinal cord lesion which was caused by other factors were excluded. All accepted subjects provided the confirmed consent. METHODS: Nicolet NT electromyography (EMG)/evoked potential meter (made in the USA) was used to detect spinal cord conduction velocity (SCCV), somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) of lower limbs, motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) of extremities. Determining criteria: Measurements were performed based on the laboratory standards. SCCV, which was less than lower limit of normal value (T2–12: 40–55 m/s, T12–L4: 20–41 m/s, T2–L4: 36–45 m/s), was regarded as abnormal. SEP value of lower limbs: P40, P60 and PF, which were more than standard deviation of normal value (x(—)+2.5), were regarded as the abnormality. Normal value of P40, P60 and PF latencies (x(—)±s) in this study: P40, P60 and PF in males were (37.6±1.9) ms, (59.8±3.9) ms and (7.6±0.9) ms, respectively; meanwhile, those in females were (35.5±1.7) ms, (55.2±2.7) ms and (6.3±0.7) ms, respectively. MNCV and SNCV, which were less than 50 m/s in upper limbs and 40 m/s in lower limbs, were regarded as the abnormality. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Electrophysiological examinations. RESULTS: All 4 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were involved in the final analysis. ① SCCV: Among 4 patients, SCCV of three patients was decreased in T2–12, T12–L4 and T2–L4, and that of the other one was decreased in T2–12 and T2–L4; however, SCCV in T12–L4 was normal. There was significant difference as compared with normal value (P < 0.01). ② SEP of lower limbs: SEP values of lower limbs were abnormal in all 4 patients. Among them, P40, P60 and PF latencies of two patients were delayed; P40 of one patient was delayed and PF was not drained out; P40 and P60 of the last one were delayed and PF was normal. ③ MNCV and SNCV: The MNCV and SNCV were normal in one patient and abnormal in three patients. The results demonstrated that MNCV and SNCV of extremities decreased; especially, sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) of both lower extremities of one patient were not drained out. CONCLUSION: Detections of SCCV, SEP of lower limbs, MNCV and SNCV of extremities are helpful to investigate whether peripheral nerve and deep sensory passage are damaged or not and determine whether deep sensory damage is caused by peripheral nerve and spinal posterior funiculus.     

周围神经端侧动脉套接后神经再生的研究

目的研究周围神经端侧动脉套接后神经再生的可能性及其特点. 方法取SD大鼠75只,在股骨中下段切断腓神经,将近断端逆转90度包埋于肌肉中.随机分为5组.A组:将截取的左颈总动脉套接于右侧正常胫神经侧方与腓总神经远端2 mm距离之间,缝合部胫神经外膜不予切除;B组:在胫神经套接部外膜开窗1.0 mm;C组:腓总神经切断14天后再予动脉套接,余同B组;D组:同B组,且于动脉套接部注入神经生长因子(neural growth factor, NGF)1 ml;E组:将腓总神经远端以端侧缝合形式直接缝合于胫神经的一侧,外膜开窗1.0 mm.术后4、8和12周分别行组织学、电镜和神经纤维计数等检查. 结果 4周时C、D及E组周边区域有神经纤维轴突和髓鞘再生,A组则无神经纤维生长; 8周时C、D及E组再生神经纤维较B组多,E组神经纤维较C、D组多,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05); 12周时C、D及E组神经纤维多于B组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);C组及D组有较丰富的神经再生,与神经端侧直接吻合的E组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05). 结论神经端侧2 mm距离动脉套接可作为修复周围神经损伤的一种可行方法.     

肝硬化大鼠肝部分切除术后肝再生的干预研究

目的　以肝硬化大鼠为动物模型 ,研究药物对肝硬化大鼠肝部分切除术后肝再生的影响。方法　取健康的Wistar雄性大鼠 6 4只 ,以 6 0 ?l4油溶液 0 .3ml/ 10 0 g皮下注射 ,同时饮用 5 %酒精溶液 ,4 5d后制成肝硬化动物模型。模型大鼠随机分为 4组 ,16只 /组。全麻下均行左、中叶肝切除术。术后各组按以下方案处理 :A组 (对照组 )注射生理盐水 1mg/ (kg·d) ,B组为泮托拉唑组 ,注射 0 .2mg/ (kg·d) ,C组为重组人生长激素组 ,注射 0 .5U/ (kg·d) ,D组为两药合用组 ,同时给予泮托拉唑注射 0 .2mg/ (kg·d) ,重组人生长激素注射 0 .5U/ (kg·d) ) ,连续给药 1周。抽取静脉血样 ,取肝脏组织 ,检测肝功能、有丝分裂指数 (MI)、增殖细胞核抗原 (PCNA)、细胞核DNA含量。结果　泮托拉唑组、重组人生长激素组、两药合用组MI、PCNA阳性染色细胞量、细胞核DNA含量均高于对照组 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,两药合用组MI、PCNA阳性染色细胞量、细胞核DNA含量均高于泮托拉唑组、重组人生长激素组 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,但各组间肝功能变化无明显差异。结论　泮托拉唑组及重组人生长激素均对肝硬化大鼠肝部分切除术后肝细胞再生有促进作用 ,两药联合应用肝细胞再生更明显 ,其详细机制须待进一步研究。     

重组大鼠肝再生增强因子对急性肾衰竭大鼠肾脏的保护作用

目的 探讨重组大鼠肝再生增强因子(rrALR)对庆大霉素所致急性肾衰竭（ARF）大鼠肾小管上皮细胞及肾功能的保护作用。 方法 雌性Wistar大鼠150只，随机分成5组，每组30只，即健康对照组，ARF模型组，模型+空质粒对照组（空质粒组），模型+rrALR干预组（ALR组）：根据给予rrALR的剂量不同分为ALR1组和ALR2组两个亚组。分别于实验的第4、8、12、16和21天每组随机抽取6只大鼠在留取血、尿标本后，处死大鼠并取肾组织标本。常规生化方法检测各组大鼠BUN、Scr和尿N-乙酰-β-D-葡萄糖苷酶（NAG）酶的变化；PAS染色观察各组大鼠肾组织病理学改变；免疫组化法检测大鼠肾组织中ALR和增殖细胞核抗原（PCNA）的表达；Western印迹法检测肾组织中ALR蛋白的表达量。 结果 ARF大鼠各组BUN、Scr及尿NAG酶水平在第4、8、12、16天时均较对照组显著升高（P < 0.05）。与模型组和空质粒组相比，ALR组BUN、Scr及尿NAG酶水平明显降低（P < 0.05）；肾组织病理损害程度在各时间点明显减轻；而肾组织的ALR蛋白表达增加（P < 0.05）；肾小管上皮细胞增殖活跃；PCNA阳性细胞呈弥漫性分布，增殖指数（PI）明显升高（P < 0.05）。 结论 rrALR对急性损伤的肾小管上皮细胞具有减轻病变和促进再生修复的作用，可明显改善ARF大鼠的肾功能。     

外源性VEGF对自体移植脾组织血管再生的影响

目的：观察外源性VEGF对自体脾组织大网膜内移植后血管再生过程影响。方法：198只昆明种小白鼠随机分为脾切除自体脾组织大网膜内移植组及假手术组,将脾切除自体脾组织大网膜内移植后的小鼠再随机分为实验组（应用外源性VEGF组）和对照组（不用外源性VEGF组）。实验观察组小鼠分别于术后7、15、30d于尾静脉内注射VEGF,最后一次注射后1、7、14、30、60、90d各处死5只,取脾组织标本;对照组于术后观察上述对应时相点后各处死3只,取脾组织标本,进行墨汁灌注血管面密度测定。结果：术后7、15、30d注射VEGF后,较对照组的血管数量明显增多,墨汁灌注显示,实验观察组血管面密度较对照组明显增大。结论：外源性VEGF能够促进移植脾组织内血管生长,改善移植脾组织的血液循环,有利于移植脾组织再生,使其结构恢复更趋完善。     

胶原蛋白-明胶支架材料修复大鼠坐骨神经缺损的研究

目的制备胶原蛋白一明胶神经支架材料（CG材料）并研究其在修复大鼠10mm坐骨神经缺损实验中的疗效。方法以I型胶原蛋白、明胶通过冷冻干燥技术制备具有轴向微管结构的神经支架材料，用其桥接修复sD大鼠坐骨神经10mm缺损。术后16周分别行透射电镜，S-100、β-tubulin class Ⅲ、NFl60免疫荧光染色以及电生理检测，观察支架材料引导神经再生的疗效。结果制备的材料内部为孔径均匀且平行排列的微管结构，术后16周通过透射电镜和免疫荧光染色可见大量再生神经纤维，电生理检测神经传导速度及波幅接近自体神经移植。结论胶原蛋白一明胶支架材料能够有效的促进周围神经再生。     

人发角蛋白桥接周围神经缺损的形态学观察

目的 :了解人发角蛋白在神经再生中的作用 ,为临床桥接周围神经缺损寻求新的替代材料。方法 :将 18只新西兰兔的双侧坐骨神经切断 ,造成 10mm缺损 ,一侧用人发角蛋白桥接 (实验组 ) ,另一侧用空硅胶管桥接 (对照组 ) ,术后 1、 2、 3个月通过肉眼观察 ,光镜、电镜和有髓神经密度测定 ,观察、分析神经再生情况。结果 :实验组再生神经均通过 10mm缺损 ,对照组有 2例无神经生长 ;实验组再生神经排列较紧密、有序 ,髓鞘形成早于对照组 ;神经纤维密度明显高于对照组 (P <0 0 1)。结论 :人发角蛋白可促进周围神经再生 ,是桥接周围神经缺损的理想材料。     

Expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients and carriers

The expression of MHC isoforms in the skeletal muscles of nine patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) (from 2.5 to 15 yr of age) and three DMD carriers was studied using different specific anti-MHC MAbs. We also analyzed muscle fiber size and fiber reactivity with acridine orange and/or with a surface antigen marker. One-quarter of all fibers of DMD patients, or less with age, were of normal size and contained only adult slow MHC. Half of the muscle fibers contained adult and developmental MHCs. Only half of these fibers were representative of an active regenerative process. MHC co-expression also altered the proportion of normal fast or slow fibers. Adult fast MHCs were expressed as unique MHC only in small and very small fibers in the oldest DMD patients. In DMD carrier muscles, the greatest alterations in MHC expression were observed in patients with the most reduced dystrophin expression. However, MHC changes in dystrophin-positive fibers were similar to those observed in dystrophin-free fibers. In conclusion, disruptions or delays in the switching of all genes coding for adult fast and slow MHC and developmental MHC coincided with dystrophin deletion and with perturbations in its expression.     

Myeloid regeneration after bone-marrow transplantation monitored by serum measurements of myeloperoxidase, lysozyme and lactoferrin

Bone-marrow regeneration after chemo- and radiotherapy-induced aplasia can be monitored by serum levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), lysozyme (LYS) and lactoferrin (LF). In 10 patients with leukemia, serum measurements were performed before and after bone-marrow transplantation. Bone-marrow regeneration was suggested by increments in serum MPO and LYS 5 and 4 days prior to the increase in mononuclear cells (Mono) and 10 and 9 d before the increase in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in the peripheral blood. LF started to rise 4.5 d before detectable circulating PMNs. 2 patients with early relapses of leukemia post transplantation are shown to display atypical patterns of serum MPO and LYS. We conclude that serum measurements of MPO, LYS and LF may be used as early and sensitive means to monitor bone-marrow activity during hematological regeneration. However, the findings also strongly support the earlier proposal that MPO alone may be used to reflect myeloid activity in the bone-marrow in general.