Axotomy-induced changes in cytochrome oxidase activity in the cat trochlear nucleus.
Following a unilateral section of the trochlear nerve, the effects of axotomy on cytochrome oxidase levels in the trochlear nucleus were studied. Cytochrome oxidase levels in the axotomized nucleus were significantly lower than in the control nucleus. The maximal decrease was observed at 2 weeks. Following partial restoration during weeks 3 and 4, cytochrome oxidase levels stabilized at levels only slightly below normal. Since a significant number of trochlear motoneurons die following axotomy, the restoration of cytochrome oxidase levels close to normal suggests that the surviving neurons may compensate for an increased load with a permanent increase in oxidative metabolism.
Iannuzzelli
P G
PG
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19129.
Wang
X H
XH
Wang
Y
Y
Murphy
E H
EH
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002415:Cats; D003720:Densitometry; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000378:metabolism*; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D014321:Trochlear Nerve / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000502:physiology
D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV