This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Reply to article  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

An Electrophysiological and Histological Study Following the Use of Immunosuppressive Therapy

John D. Pollard, MRACP; James G. McLeod, DPhil (Oxon), FRACP; Richard S. Gye, DPhil (Oxon),' FRACS

Arch Neurol. 1973;28(1):31-37.

Abstract
Four-centimeter peripheral nerve allografts were inserted into gaps in the sciatic nerve of 42 Wistar rats. Twenty-one rats were treated with azathioprine (Imuran) during the regeneration period, and 21 rats were control animals. Regeneration through the grafts was assessed by clinical, electrophysiological, and histological means.

At six months postoperatively, the mean motor conduction velocity in the grafted nerves and the amplitude of the action potential of reinnervated muscles were significantly greater in the treated animals than in the controls. There was also a greater density of myelinated fibers in the graft and distal nerve segments of the treated animals than in those of the controls. Suspension of immunosuppressive agents after regeneration had occurred did not result in deterioration of nerve function. It is concluded that immunosuppressive agents aid regeneration through peripheral nerve allografts.

Author Affiliations
Sydney, New South Wales

From the departments of medicine (Drs. Pollard and McLeod) and surgery (Dr. Gye), University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication, June 6, 1972.

Reprint requests to Department of Medicine, Sydney University, NSW, Australia 2006 (Dr. McLeod).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?