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Perikaryal synthetic function following reversible and irreversible peripheral axon injuries as shown by radioautography
Author(s) -
Engh Charles A.,
Schofield Brian H.,
Doty Stephen B.,
Robinson Robert A.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
journal of comparative neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 209
eISSN - 1096-9861
pISSN - 0021-9967
DOI - 10.1002/cne.901420405
Subject(s) - chromatolysis , axon , biology , peripheral , basophilia , peripheral nerve , regeneration (biology) , sciatic nerve , neuroscience , anatomy , nerve injury , microbiology and biotechnology , spinal cord , medicine , immunology
Abstract Regenerative activity within perikarya of peripheral neurons was studied using light microscopic and standard autoradiographic techniques. Relative incorporation of H 3 ‐leucine into injured neurons was used as an index of their regenerative activity. Reversible and irreversible sciatic nerve injuries were used as the experimental model. Results were correlated with microscopic and functional assessment of progress in nerve regeneration in each animal. Both reversible and irreversible axonal injuries resulted in chromatolysis and initially decreased 30 minute incorporation of the labeled axonal protein precursor into injured cells. A late increase in 30 minute incorporation of the labeled amino acid occurred only in animals subjected to reversible axon injury. In sometimes greater than normal cytoplasmic basophilia and always accompanied demonstrable return of nerve function. These findings are correlated with present concepts of perikaryal synthetic requirements during the various phases of peripheral axon regeneration. It is suggested that the increased synthetic activity within the perikaryon necessary for axon maturation results from the return of a trophic perikaryal stimulus from reinnervated peripheral structures.