title: Quantitative and morphological study of intraepidermal nerve fibre in healthy individuals.
abstract: The study was aimed to observe the morphology of intraepidermal nerve fibre (IENF) and to explore the relationships between intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD) and anatomic sites, age, genders and races. Intraepidermal nerve fibre was observed using immunohistochemistry. The relationships between IENFD and anatomic sites, ages, genders and races were analysed by quantitative analysis of IENFD. Five patterns of the IENFs were observed according to the morphological classification. A significant difference was observed in IENFD between different anatomic sites (P < 0.05). A linear negative correlation was observed between IENFD and age (r = - 0.2931, P < 0.01). No significant difference was found between IENFD and genders. Intraepidermal nerve fibre density at distal leg of Chinese (395.54 ± 166.92) was higher than that of Finnish (114.62 ± 32.32, P < 0.01). Skin biopsy may be an effective tool in quantitation of IENFD in healthy individuals. Intraepidermal nerve fibre density is independent of genders, and closely associated with anatomic sites, races and ages.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: Jinwei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Yongdan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Likai
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Huimin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Haisong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001132:Arm / Q000294:innervation; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000294:innervation; D006225:Hand / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000294:innervation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000294:innervation*; D013848:Thigh / Q000294:innervation; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Intraepidermal nerve fibre density,; Peripheral neuropathy; Skin biopsy,