Xiong_2004_Zhongguo.Xiu.Fu.Chong.Jian.Wai.Ke.Za.Zhi_18_4

OBJECTIVE: To explore the changes of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) levels after end-to-end and end-to-side neurorrhaphy.
METHODS: Twenty female Wistar rats were divided into 4 experimental groups and control group. In the experimental groups, common peroneal nerves were transected on both sides. End-to-side coaptation was performed on the left, while end-to-end coaptation on the right. After 1, 2, 4 and 27 weeks, the rats were sacrificed, and immunoreactivities of CGRP and SP in suture sites, lumbar spine and dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) were evaluated respectively.
RESULTS: The expression of CGRP and SP decreased in dorsal horn and DRGs within 1 week postoperatively. After 4-27 weeks, CGRP and SP in dorsal horn could return to almost normal level, but they had little recovery in DRGs. Although the trend of change between end-to-end and end-to-side was coincident, in most experimental groups, there existed differences in the dorsal horn between end-to-end and end-to-side. The sciatic nerve stained by acetylcholinesterase, SP, CGRP and PGP 9.5 showed that the fibers could pass through the suture site of either end-to-end or end-to-side. CONCLUSION: Nerve regeneration can be achieved by end-to-side neurorrhaphy, and the mechanism of sensory nerve recovery of these two methods is similar. But the recovery in end-to-side coaptation is insufficient to some degree.