Neurodegeneration in sweat glands and skin of aged rats |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. Division of Neuropathology, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK;2. Muscle Immunoanalysis Unit, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK;3. The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre and MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK;4. Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK;5. MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK |
| |
| Abstract: | In order to compare age-associated neurodegenerative changes in peripheral nerves of laboratory mammals and humans, we have investigated the density and pattern of different nerve populations innervating sweat glands of ageing rats and compared our results with a previous study of the innervation of human sweat glands. We have also studied age-changes in subepidermal afferent nerves that may be involved in reflex activation of sweat glands. Total nerve density, measured by immunohistochemical staining for the general neuronal marker, protein gene product (PGP9.5) and image analysis, showed a significant decline around secretory coils of sweat glands of old compared to young rats. Marked reductions of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemical staining and of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)- and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-like immunoreactivity were observed in nerves around sweat glands. In the sub-epidermis, PGP- and CGRP-like immunoreactive nerves were significantly reduced in old rats. The age-related changes in sweat gland innervation of old rats were comparable to those reported in elderly human subjects suggesting that these tissues may provide a suitable model for experimental studies of neuronal ageing. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
| 本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录！ |
|
