Activation of afferent fibers ending in an old neuroma by sympathetic stimulation in the rat.
The sciatic nerve in 3 albino Sabra strain rats was cut and ligated on the left side. After 8.5 months, the responses of afferent fibers ending in the neuroma to electrical stimulation of sympathetic supply were tested. In all 3 animals afferent fibers could be activated by this stimulation at low frequencies. The maximal responses per stimulus shock occurred at 0.5-2 Hz. The responses exhibited wind-up, but could not be elicited by adrenaline injected i.v.. The responses ceased 1-2 h after several trains of pulses at 0.2-8 Hz had been applied. The fibers recorded from were most likely unmyelinated. This is a further example demonstrating that stimuli simulating physiological conditions of sympathetic activity can excite afferent C-fibers that end in a neuroma of a very chronically lesioned nerve.
Jänig
W
W
Physiologisches Institut, Christian-Albrechts-Universität, Kiel, F.R.G.
D000818:Animals; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004594:Electrophysiology; D009463:Neuroma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology*; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000502:physiology*