Altered metabolism of rat contralateral sciatic nerve after microinjection into the endoneurium of the ipsilateral sciatic nerve

Microinjection of substances into the endoneurium of the sciatic nerve is a technique widely used. Because the contralateral nerve is often used as control nerve, we studied the incorporation of [14C]galactose into myelin lipids in normal nerves, saline-injected nerves and their contralateral nerves. Results show that incorporation of radioactivity into contralateral nerve lipids is affected as compared with normal nerves. We conclude that the contralateral nerve of an injected nerve is not a good control.