title: Prolonged hindlimb unloading leads to changes in electrophysiological properties of L5 dorsal root ganglion neurons in rats after 14 days.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the electrophysiological changes observed in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in a simulated weightlessness rat model and to assess the mechanisms involved in these changes.
  
  
  METHODS
  The simulated weightlessness model was created by hindlimb unloading (HU). Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, conduction velocity measurement, and ultrastructural observation were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the HU rats, the action potentials had a longer duration and slower falling rate, but there was no significant effect on amplitude or rate of rise. HU also induced lowering of rheobase and of the threshold potential, making the cells more excitable. The conduction velocities in the proximal branches of ganglion cells were also decreased, and some degenerative changes in the myelin sheath were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides evidence of plasticity of DRG neurons induced by HU. The changes observed might contribute to impaired motor performance in rats submitted to HU.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Medical College of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China.
authors.forename: Jun-Chan
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Xiao-Li
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Xin-Ai
authors.initials: XA
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Xue-Hong
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Ming-Xia
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001703:Biophysics; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology*; D019417:Hindlimb Suspension; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure