Age-Dependent Histomorphometrical Values of the Sciatic Nerve Regeneration in Rats after Cutting and Microsurgical Suturing

The effect of ageing on the morphofunctional features of nerves and the process of their posttraumatic regeneration has been studied in details. However, it is not known, whether there are differences of the neuroregeneration potential in the young, adult and mature experimental animals. The aim of the study was to evaluate histomorphometrical parameters of the rat sciatic nerve regeneration after cutting and microsurgical suturing depending on their age. Materials and Methods. The study included 15 white laboratory Wistar rats aged 5–6 (young), 8–10 (adult) and 12 months (mature). The sciatic nerve was transected at the level of the middle third of the thigh with microsurgical scissors and sutured with six epi-perineural stitches in the animals. In 4 months the animals were euthanized. Sections of sciatic nerves distal to the levels of sutures were put into araldite, semi-thin slices (0.5–1.0 mkm) were obtained for histomorphometric analysis. Thirteen intact animals were selected as control. Statistical processing was performed using nonparametric methods. Results. The numerical density of endoneural vessels in nerves of operated rats was higher than that in the intact ones, but in mature animals it was significantly lower than in young and adult ones (p<0.001). The numerical density of endoneural cells nuclei in young experimental animals did not differ from that of the intact ones, but in animals from the adult and mature groups it was more than four times higher than in animals from the young group (p<0.001). The numerical density of regenerating myelinated nerve fibers in animals of the young and adult groups did not differ from that of the intact nerve, in animals of the mature group it increased in 2.5 times (p<0.001). The numerical density of degenerating myelinated fibers in the operated animals of experimental groups was higher than in the intact group (two times, six times and 11 times higher, respectively). The diameter distribution of the regenerating myelinated fibers in animals of all groups differed from that of the intact control animals. Conclusions. The data obtained demonstrate a significant decrease in the regenerative potential of Schwann cells and neurons in adult and mature animals compared with the young ones.