Abstract | STUDY DESIGN: An analysis of pain behavior and neuronal apoptosis in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) following crush injury to the L5 nerve root, with or without surgical sympathectomy. OBJECTIVES: SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Sympathetic block is used to relieve symptoms in radiculopathy patients. One effect of the block is improvement of blood flow to the nerve. However, this beneficial effect continues longer than the expected duration of local anesthesia, suggesting an unknown neuroprotective effect involving interference with sympathetic activity. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 102) were used and divided into 4 experimental groups. In the crush group, animals received a crush injury to the L5 nerve root. In the sympathectomy group, animals received sympathectomy (Syx) on the left side. In the Syx + crush group, both sympathectomy and crush injury were performed. In the sham group, the surgical procedure was the same, but neither sympathectomy nor crush injury took place. Mechanical allodynia was determined in 4 groups. Expression of TNF-alpha was compared in rats with crush injury, with and without sympathectomy. Using immunostaining for caspase 3, NeuN, and GFAP, localization of apoptotic cells was observed. In addition, we compared the percentage of neurons undergoing apoptosis in the DRG. RESULTS: CONCLUSION:
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Authors | Miho Sekiguchi, Hideo Kobayashi, Yasufumi Sekiguchi, Shin-ichi Konno, Shin-ichi Kikuchi |
Journal | Spine
(Spine (Phila Pa 1976))
Vol. 33
Issue 11
Pg. 1163-9
(May 15 2008)
ISSN: 1528-1159 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 18469688
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
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Topics |
- Animals
- Apoptosis
(physiology)
- Female
- Ganglia, Spinal
(injuries, metabolism, surgery)
- Gene Expression Regulation
(physiology)
- Nerve Crush
- Pain Measurement
(methods)
- Physical Stimulation
(methods)
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Sympathectomy
(methods)
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
(antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, genetics)
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