title: The effects of hypertonic dextrose injection on connective tissue and nerve conduction through the rabbit carpal tunnel.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of hypertonic dextrose injection on the subsynovial connective tissue (SSCT) in a rabbit model. We hypothesized that dextrose injection would induce proliferation of the SSCT, hinder median nerve conduction, and alter SSCT mechanical properties, similar to what is observed in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, controlled prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  New Zealand white rabbits (N=28) weighing 4.0 to 4.5kg.
  
  
  METHODS
  One forepaw was randomly injected with 0.1mL 10% dextrose solution. The contralateral paw was injected with a similar amount of 0.9% saline solution as a control. Animals were killed at 12 weeks after injection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Animals were evaluated by electrophysiology (EP), mechanical testing, and histology. EP was evaluated by distal motor latency and amplitude. Shear force was evaluated when the middle digit flexor digitorum superficialis tendon was pulled out from the carpal tunnel. The ultimate tensile load and the energy absorption were also measured. Tissue for histology was evaluated qualitatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EP demonstrated significant prolongation of distal motor latency. The energy absorption and stiffness were also significantly increased in the dextrose group. Histologically, the dextrose group showed thickening of the collagen bundles and vascular proliferation within the SSCT compared with the saline group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results are consistent with the findings in patients with CTS and suggest that hypertonic dextrose injection has the potential to create a novel animal model in which to study the evolution of CTS.
authors.affiliation: Biomechanics Laboratory, Division of Orthopedic Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Yuichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yoshii
authors.forename: Chunfeng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Schmelzer
authors.forename: Phillip A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Low
authors.forename: Kai-Nan
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Amadio
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002350:Carpus, Animal / Q000294:innervation*; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005355:Fibrosis; D005950:Glucose Solution, Hypertonic; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009431:Neural Conduction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D005950:Glucose Solution, Hypertonic