Survival, regeneration and functional recovery of motoneurons after delayed reimplantation of avulsed spinal root in adult rat.
We have established that extensive reinnervation and functional recovery follow immediate reimplantation of avulsed ventral roots in adult rats. In the present study, we examined the consequences of reimplantation delayed for 2 weeks after avulsion of the C6 spinal root. Twelve and 20 weeks after delayed reimplantation, 57% and 53% of the motoneurons in the injured spinal segment survived. More than 80% of surviving motoneurons regenerated axons into the reimplanted spinal root. Cholinesterase-silver staining revealed axon terminals on endplates in the denervated muscles. The biceps muscles in reimplanted animals had atrophied less than those in animals with avulsion only, as indicated by muscle wet weight and histological appearance. After electrical stimulation of the motor cortex or the C6 spinal root, typical EMG signals were recorded in biceps of reimplanted animals. The latency of the muscle potential at 20 weeks was similar to that of sham-operated controls. Behavioral recovery was demonstrated by a grooming test and ipsilateral forepaw movements were well coordinated in both voluntary and automatic activities. These results demonstrate that ventral root reimplantation can protect severed motoneurons, enable the severed motoneurons to regenerate axons, and enhance the recovery of forelimb function even when it is delayed for 2 weeks after avulsion.
Gu
Huai-Yu
HY
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Chai
Hong
H
Zhang
Jian-Yi
JY
Yao
Zhi-Bin
ZB
Zhou
Li-Hua
LH
Wong
Wai-Man
WM
Bruce
Iain C
IC
Wu
Wu-Tian
WT
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006120:Grooming / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012092:Replantation / Q000379:methods*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors