Studies of Rat Limb Peripheral Nerve Regeneration.
Abstract
This report outlines the methodology and preliminary results of a study in which adult rat limbs were severed at mid-forearm, then subjected to battery-powered implants with either the positive or negative lead placed at the wound surface. When suitably placed, and if the negative lead were distal, the rats regenerated a remarkable array of tissues in an organized fashion, including cartilage, bone, muscle, and connective tissue. In some cases structures normal to the limb were formed. These included well-formed joints and bones of the carpal and metacarpal series. A second set of experiments involved the implantation of silver-platinum electrogenic couples across the severed sciatic nerves of adult rats. If the cathode lay distal to the gap, regeneration of the nerves across the gap was accelerated. This result was confirmed by examination of the nerves by autoradiography, direct gross examination, histological/stereological methods, and measurement of Compound Action potentials. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA082712
Entities
People
- Stephen D. Smith
- William G. Winter
Organizations
- University of Kentucky