Open AccessA new model of chronic peripheral nerve compression for basic research and pharmaceutical drug testing
Author(s) -
Lucas Degrugillier,
Katharina M Prautsch,
Dirk J. Schaefer,
Raphaël Guzman,
Stefan Schären,
Daniel F. Kalbermatten,
Srinivas Madduri
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
regenerative medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.572
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1746-076X
pISSN - 1746-0751
DOI - 10.2217/rme-2020-0129
Subject(s) - medicine , peripheral , sciatic nerve , peripheral neuropathy , myelin , peripheral nerve injury , pathophysiology , axon , peripheral nerve , peripheral nervous system , nerve injury , axonal degeneration , sensory system , sensory nerve , neuroscience , pathology , anatomy , anesthesia , central nervous system , psychology , endocrinology , diabetes mellitus
Aim: To develop a consistent model to standardize research in the field of chronic peripheral nerve neuropathy. Methods: The left sciatic nerve of 8-week-old Sprague–Dawley rats was compressed using a customized instrument leaving a defined post injury nerve lumen (400 μm, 250 μm, 100 μm, 0 μm) for 6 weeks. Sensory and motor outcomes were measured weekly, and histomorphology and electrophysiology after 6 weeks. Results: The findings demonstrated compression depth-dependent sensory and motor pathologies. Quantitative measurements revealed a significant myelin degeneration, axon irregularities and muscle atrophy. At the functional level, we highlighted the dynamics of the different injury profiles. Conclusion: Our novel model of chronic peripheral nerve compression is a useful tool for research on pathophysiology and new therapeutic approaches.