Effects of local hyperthermia on the motor function of the rat sciatic nerve.
The effect of local heat treatment of the sciatic nerve was assessed using the toe-spreading test, which mainly assesses the motor function of the sciatic nerve. A 5 mm long segment of the nerve was heated at temperatures from 42.0 to 45.0 degrees C in vivo using a brass thermode. Hyperthermia led to a decrease in spreading of the toes. Recovery from functional loss took place in all cases, and this recovery was completed in 4 weeks. A 50 per cent functional loss in 50 per cent of the treated animals was observed after 58, 32 and 12 min of heating at 43.0, 44.0 and 45.0 degrees C respectively.
Wondergem
J
J
Department of Radiotherapy, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Haveman
J
J
Rusman
V
V
Sminia
P
P
Van Dijk
J D
JD
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D009068:Movement; D009132:Muscles / Q000294:innervation*; D051381:Rats; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D014034:Toes / Q000502:physiology