Inflammatory cells infiltration and c-Fos expression in residual lower stem of brachial plexus following severing or avulsion injury
AIM: To study the effect of axotomy and avulsion of the low branch of brachial plexus (LBP) on the inflammatory cells infiltration and c-Fos expression in residual nerves and to provide clues for the mechanisms of pain production following brachial plexus injury. METHODS: Unilaterally cutting and avulsion of the LBP were made in 2 different groups of rats, respectively. Infiltration of inflammatory cells was demonstrated with HE staining and the expression of c-Fos were observed immunohistochem-ically. RESULTS: Five hours after the cutting of LBP, infiltration of neutrophils and monocytes was concentrated in the wounded end of residual nerve. Cells with c-Fos expression were also located in the wound area. Following LBP avulsion, aggregation of neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes were seen not only in wounded area, but also in the related dorsal root ganglia and central process of the spinal nerve. Furthermore, more numerous c-Fos positive cells in wounded area were seen in avulsion group than in cutting group. C-Fos positive cells were found in dorsal root ganglia and central process of the peripheral nerve as well. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory cells infiltration and c-Fos expression are stronger and more extensively distributed following avulsion compared with sharp cutting. These results indicate that severe inflammatory reaction and Schwann cells activation might be associated with the high incidence of severe pain in brachial plexus avulsion.
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
维普
