Department of Anatomy, Yunyang Medical College;Department of Anatomy, Yunyang Medical College;Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University;Department of Anatomy, Medical College, University of Hong Kong
Abstract:
BackgroundThe changes of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) expression are closely associated with peripheral nerve injury, whereas it should be further investigated whether the damage of central nerve can lead to the changes of CGRP expression, and whether it is associated with the neural regeneration and repair.ObjectiveTo observe the changing law of CGRP expression in the anterior and posterior horns of spinal cord following brachial plexus injury.DesignA randomized controlled trial.SettingsDepartment of Anatomy, Yunyang Medical College; Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University.MaterialsSixty-five adult male SD rats of clean degree, weighing 180-220 g, provided by the experimental animal center of the Basic Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, were randomly divided into control group (n =5) and experimental group (n =60), and the latter was subdivided into three damage groups: avulsion of anterior root group (n =20), disjunction of posterior root group (n =20) and transection of spinal cord group (n =20). Diaminobenzidine (DAB) chromogen, rabbit anti-CGRP polyclonal antibody were the products of Sigma Company; Leica image analytical apparatus was produced by QUIN Company (Germany); Histotome by Sigma Company.MethodsThe experiments were carried out in the Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University from September 2004 to March 2005. Three kinds of models of brachial plexus injury were established: In the avulsion of anterior root group, right C7 anterior root was avulsed, and the distal nerve residual root was transected. In the disjunction of posterior root group, right C7 anterior root was avulsed and right C5-T1 posterior horns were cut to block the sensory afferent pathway. In the transection of spinal cord group, right C7 anterior root was avulsed and C5-6 segments of right spinal cord were semi-transected to block the cortical descending pathway. In the control group, C5-T1 vertebral plates were prayed open, and then the skin was sutured. The C7 segments of spinal cord were removed on the 1st, 3rd, 7th and 14th days postoperatively respectively, and the CGRP expressions in the anterior and posterior horns of spinal cord were determined and analyzed using immunohistochemical method and image analysis.Main outcome measures