Effects of 4-methylcatechol on skin reinnervation: Promotion of cutaneous nerve regeneration after crush injury
Journal
Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology
Journal Volume
68
Journal Issue
12
Pages
1269-1281
Date Issued
2009
Author(s)
Abstract
We assessed the effects of treatment with 4-methylcatechol (4MC), a known inducer of nerve growth factor, on peripheral nerve regeneration by analyzing cutaneous and muscular reinnervation in mice after sciatic nerve crush injury. At 3 months postinjury, the skin innervation index was significantly higher in the 4MC group than the control group (p=0.0002); there was also increased unmyelinated fiber density (p=0.0042) and unmyelinated fibers/Remak bundle (p = 0.001) in sural nerves, indicating unmyelinated nerve fiber regeneration. These changes were accompanied by increases of transcripts for nerve growth factor (p = 0.0026) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (p=0.03) in the 4MC group. In contrast, muscle innervation indices were similar in both groups and were higher than the skin innervation index (p < 0.0001). The regeneration of myelinated nerve fibers, as assessed by fiber density, diameter and g ratio analyses in sural nerves, and amplitudes of muscle action potential in sciatic nerves, was similar in both groups. Taken together, these data suggest that 4MC specifically promoted the regeneration of unmyelinated nerve fibers and reinnervation of the skin by increasing the expression of nerve growth factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor. ? 2009 by the American Association of Neuropathologists, Inc.
SDGs
Other Subjects
4 methylcatechol; nerve growth factor; neurotrophic factor; 4 methylcatechol; 4-methylcatechol; catechol derivative; nerve growth factor; neuroprotective agent; animal experiment; animal model; article; controlled study; crush trauma; density; drug effect; glia cell; male; motor nerve; mouse; muscle action potential; muscle innervation; muscle reinnervation; myelinated nerve; nerve fiber regeneration; nerve injury; nerve regeneration; nonhuman; nonmyelinated nerve; priority journal; sciatic nerve; sensory nerve; skin nerve; sural nerve; action potential; animal; biosynthesis; gene expression; immunohistochemistry; injury; innervation; Institute for Cancer Research mouse; nerve conduction; nerve crush; neuromuscular synapse; reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; skeletal muscle; skin; transmission electron microscopy; ultrastructure; Action Potentials; Animals; Catechols; Gene Expression; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Muscle, Skeletal; Nerve Crush; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated; Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated; Nerve Growth Factor; Nerve Regeneration; Neural Conduction; Neuromuscular Junction; Neuroprotective Agents; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sciatic Nerve; Skin
Type
journal article