title: The use of the rat as a model for studying peripheral nerve regeneration and sprouting after complete and partial nerve injuries.
abstract: Rat models of complete and partial injuries are the most frequently used models for analysis of the cellular and molecular processes of nerve regeneration and axon sprouting. Studies of nerve regeneration and axon sprouting after complete and partial nerve injuries, respectively, are reviewed. Special consideration is made of the peripheral nerves chosen for the studies and the outcome measures that were utilized in the studies. The studies have made important contributions to our knowledge of the degenerative and regenerative processes that occur after the peripheral nerve injuries, why functional recovery is frequently compromised after delayed surgery, the positive effects of neurotrophic factors on nerve regeneration after delayed nerve repair or after insertion of autografts between transected nerve, and how axon regeneration may be accelerated by brief periods of electrical stimulation and/or by administration of androgens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada. Electronic address: tessat.gordon@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tessa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada.
authors.forename: Gregory H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Borschel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D019771:Axotomy; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors
keywords: Axon sprouting; Axotomy; Denervation; Electrical stimulation; Exercise; Neurotrophic factors; Peripheral nerve regeneration; Schwann cells