Ischemic and Reperfusion Injury of Adult Rat Sciatic Nerve

Background and Objective: Ischemia plays a major role in development of pathological changes in various neuropathies. Reperfusion amplifies physiological and pathological abnormalities in ischemic nerves. In this research, we studied ischemic-reperfusion (IR) injury of sciatic nerve up to ۱۴ days of reperfusion. Materials & Methods: IR was produced by ligation and release of nooses around supplying vessels to the sciatic nerve. ۳۰ rats were assigned into ۵ groups of ۶. Group ۱ (control) did not undergo IR while the ۴ remaining groups after three hours of complete hind leg ischemia underwent reperfusion within ۰hr, ۳hrs, ۷ days and ۱۴ days. Results: Pathologically, two phases were identifiable. During phase ۱ (۰- ۳ hrs) fiber degeneration and endoneurial edema were observed. During phase ۲ ( ۷ days and, ۱۴ days) prominent fiber degeneration and prominent endoneurial edema were observed. Loss of function occurred in more than ۷۵% of the rats with ischemia alone, in comparison with the control group the maximum reduction in activities was observed amongest the group of rats reperfused within ۳ hours. Conclusion: IR injury depends on duration of reperfusion. Microvascular events during reperfusion may enhance the nerve fiber damage following the ischemia period.

Keywords:

Ischemia , Reperfusion , Sciatic nerve.