Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its fetal liver kinase-1 receptor in spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia after neurotomy of sciatic nerve in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression and pattern of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its fetal liver kinase-1 (Flk-1) receptor in spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia after neurotomy of sciatic nerve in rats.


METHODS
Forty-five adult male Wistar rats were divided randomly into a control group (n=5) and an experimental group (n=40). The bilateral sciatic nerves of the rats in the experimental group underwent neurotomy and the L4-L6 spinal cord and the corresponding dorsal root ganglia were harvested respectively at 8 hours, and 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 21 days (8 subgroups with 5 rats each) after operation. The rats in the control group only underwent an exposure of sciatic nerve without neurotomy. Immunohistochemistry and image analysis were used to study the expression of VEGF and its Flk-1 receptor.


RESULTS
Both VEGF and Flk-1 receptor expressed in the normal rat spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia. In response to neurotomy, their expression reached a higher level and persisted for a short time then declined to the normal level rapidly. Besides, positive staining of Flk-1 was observed in both glial cells and nerve fibers, which located in the white matter of the spinal cord.


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF can promote the regeneration of peripheral nerves from the angle of central neurons, which establishes the experimental and theoretical foundation for VEGF treating peripheral nerve injuries.
Fu
Chong-yang
CY
Department of Hand Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China. fuchongyang@hotmail.com
Hong
Guang-xiang
GX
Wang
Fa-bin
FB
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000378:metabolism*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2