title: Effects of 4-methylcatechol, a stimulator of endogenous nerve growth factor synthesis, on experimental acrylamide-induced neuropathy in rats.
abstract: Acrylamide monomer (ACR) causes central-peripheral distal axonopathy. We induced neuropathy in rats by means of ACR injection as an experimental model of the dying-back type of peripheral neuropathy to assess the potential efficacy of 4-methylcatechol (4-MC), a potent stimulator of endogenous nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis, as a therapeutic agent for the axonal nerve lesion. ACR-induced neuropathy in rats resulted in a dying- back type of axonal degeneration, and a statistically significant reduction in motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), and density of large myelinated fibers. We administered 4-MC and ACR together to rats intraperitoneally and found improved clinical signs, and significantly more NGF content in sciatic nerves, faster MNCV, and greater myelinated fiber density than in rats given ACR alone. These findings suggest that 4-MC can prevent the progression of ACR-induced neuropathy and decreased NGF levels may be involved in the pathogenesis of ACR neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Miyazaki Medical College, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saita
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohi
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hanaoka
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Furukawa
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Furukawa
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsukura
mesh_terms: D000178:Acrylamides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002396:Catechols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000178:Acrylamides; D000975:Antioxidants; D002396:Catechols; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; C018599:4-methylcatechol