title: Effects of graded mechanical compression of rabbit sciatic nerve on nerve blood flow and electrophysiological properties.
abstract: Entrapment neuropathy is a frequent clinical problem that can be caused by, among other factors, mechanical compression; however, exactly how a compressive force affects the peripheral nerves remains poorly understood. In this study, using a rabbit model of sciatic nerve injury (n=12), we evaluated the time-course of changes in intraneural blood flow, compound nerve action potentials, and functioning of the blood-nerve barrier during graded mechanical compression. Nerve injury was applied using a compressor equipped with a custom-made pressure transducer. Cessation of intraneural blood flow was noted at a mean compressive force of 0.457+/-0.022 N (+/-SEM), and the compound action potential became zero at 0.486+/-0.031 N. Marked extravasation of Evans blue albumin was noted after 20 min of intraneural ischemia. The functional changes induced by compression are likely due to intraneural edema, which could subsequently result in impairment of nerve function. These changes may be critical factors in the development of symptoms associated with nerve compression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Medicine, Fukui University Faculty of Medical Sciences, Matsuoka Shimoaizuki 23, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan. yayama@u-fukui.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takafumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yayama
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Yoshitaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakanishi
authors.forename: Kenzo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uchida
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kokubo
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyazaki
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takeno
authors.forename: Kosuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Awara
authors.forename: Erisa S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Mwaka
authors.forename: Yukihide
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Iwamoto
authors.forename: Hisatoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Baba
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D049428:Blood-Nerve Barrier / Q000503:physiopathology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical