Increased neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like immunoreactivity in rat sensory neurons following peripheral axotomy.
The effects of peripheral axotomy (sciatic nerve transection) on the presence and distribution of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal grey matter were examined using immunocytochemistry. In normal rats and on the sham-operated side of experimental rats, NPY-like immunoreactivity (NPYir) was observed in all laminae of the lumbar spinal cord, with an especially dense concentration of immunostained axons and axonal varicosities in laminae I-II of the dorsal horn. There was no detectable NPYir in L4-L5 DRG cells from normal rats or from the sham-operated side of experimental rats. At 14 days after axotomy, there was a large ipsilateral increase in the density of NPYir axons and varicosities in the lumbar spinal cord on the side of the nerve injury; this was especially apparent in laminae III-V. In the same rats, NPYir was observed in many small, medium, and large neurons in the L4-L5 DRGs on the side of the severed nerve.
Wakisaka
S
S
Neurobiology and Anesthesiology Branch, National Institute of Dental Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Kajander
K C
KC
Bennett
G J
GJ
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D009478:Neuropeptide Y