Journal List > J Korean Acad Nurs > v.39(3) > 1002540

Kim and Choe: Effects of Unilateral Sciatic Nerve Injury on Unaffected Hindlimb Muscles of Rats

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of unilateral sciatic nerve injury on unaffected hindlimb muscles of rats.

Methods

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of three groups: control (C) group (n=10) that had no procedures, sham (S) group (n=10) that underwent sham left sciatic nerve transection, and sciatic nerve transection (SNT) group (n=9) that underwent left sciatic nerve transection. At 15 days rats were anesthetized, and the soleus, plantaris and gastrocnemius muscles were dissected.

Results

Muscle weight of the unaffected plantaris muscle in the SNT group was significantly lower than in the other two groups. Type II fiber cross-sectional areas of the unaffected plantaris and gastrocnemius muscles in the SNT group were significantly smaller than in the other two groups. The decrease of muscle weights and Type I, II fiber cross-sectional areas of the unaffected three muscles in the SNT group were significantly less than that of the affected three muscles.

Conclusion

Hindlimb muscle atrophy occurs in the unaffected side after unilateral sciatic nerve injury, with changes in the plantaris and gastrocnemius muscle being more apparent than changes in the soleus muscle. These results have implications for nursing care, in the need to assess degree of muscle atrophy in unaffected muscles as well as affected muscles.

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Preweight and Postweight among the Groups
jkan-39-393-i001

*Significant difference between Preweight & Postweight (p<.001); Significant difference among the Groups (p<.05); Significant difference between C & SNT (p<.05).

C=control; S=sham; SNT=sciatic nerve transection.

Table 2
Total Diet Intake among the Groups
jkan-39-393-i002

C=control; S=sham; SNT=sciatic nerve transection.

Table 3
Three Component Patterns of Activity among the Groups
jkan-39-393-i003

*Significant difference among the Groups (p<.05); Significant difference between C & SNT (p<.05); Significant difference between S & SNT (p<.05).

C=control; S=sham; SNT=sciatic nerve transection.

Table 4
Muscle Weight of Hindlimb Muscles of Control, Sham and Sciatic Nerve Transection Groups
jkan-39-393-i004

*Significant difference among the Groups (p<.05); Significant difference among the Groups (p<.001); Significant difference between C & SNT (p<.05); §Significant difference between C & SNT (p<.001); Significant difference between S & SNT (p<.05); Significant difference between S & SNT (p<.001); **Significant difference between the affected & unaffected sides (p<.001).

C=control; S=sham; SNT=sciatic nerve transection.

Table 5
Cross-Sectional Area of Hindlimb Muscles of Control, Sham and Sciatic Nerve Transection Groups
jkan-39-393-i005

*Significant difference among the Groups (p<.05); Significant difference among the Groups (p<.001); Significant difference between C & SNT (p<.05); §Significant difference between C & SNT (p<.001); Significant difference between S & SNT (p<.05); Significant difference between S & SNT (p<.001); **Significant difference between the affected & unaffected sides (p<.001).

C=control; S=sham; SNT=sciatic nerve transection.

Notes

This article is a part of master's thesis.

References

1. Brooke MH, Kaiser KK. Muscle fiber types: How many and what kind? Archives of Neurology. 1970. 23:369–379.
2. Choe MA, An GJ. Effects of exercise before steroid treatment on type I and type II hindlimb muscles in a rat model. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing. 2007. 37:81–90.
3. Choe MA, Chi JG. Effect of periodic weight support on type??muscle of developing suspended rats. -Animal experiment for nursing intervention of muscle atrophy in children. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing. 1993. 23:207–223.
4. Choe MA, Chi JG, Kim EH. Effect of intermittent low-intensity, short duration exercise on type II muscle of suspended rats. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing. 1995. 25:193–209.
5. Choe MA, An GJ, Lee YK, Im JH, Choi-Kwon S, Heitkemper M. Effect of inactivity and undernutrition after acute ischemic stroke in a rat hindlimb muscle model. Nursing Research. 2004. 53:283–292.
6. Chung IS. Effects of d-amphetamine and chlorpromazine on the orienting response and general behavioral activity in rats. 1975. Seoul: Seoul National University;Unpublished doctoral dissertation.
7. Cuccurullo S, editor. Physical medicine and rehabilitation board review. 2004. New York, NY: Demos.
8. Hagiwara Y, Hatori M, Kokubun S, Miyasaka Y. Gait characteristics of sciatic nerve palsy-A report of four cases. Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences. 2003. 108:221–227.
9. Herbison GJ, Jaweed MM, Ditunno JF. Muscle atrophy in rats following denervation, casting, inflammation, and tenotomy. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 1979. 60:401–404.
10. Hyun JK, Lee SJ, Yoo DS, Park HG, Kwon BS. The electrodiagnostic findings of sciatic nerve injury according to the locations and etiologies. Journal of Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2004. 28:54–58.
11. Imaizumi K, Tachiyashiki K, Jikihara K. Responses of visceral organ size and skeletal muscle mass during whole body suspension and recovery in rats. Advances in Exercise and Sports Physiology. 1996. 2:19–29.
12. Jakobsson F, Borg K, Edström L, Grimby L. Use of motor units in relation to muscle fiber type and size in man. Muscle & Nerve. 1988. 11:1211–1218.
13. Kim DH, Kwon OY, Kim YS, Kim SH, Son SN, et al. A case of bilateral sciatic neuropathy caused by lotus position. Journal of the Korean Neurological Association. 2004. 22:418–420.
14. Kotani Y, Wang Z, Furuyama T, Sato Y, Mori N, Yamashita H. Effects of aging and denervation on the expression of uncoupling proteins in slow- and fast-twitch muscles of rats. Journal of Biochemistry. 2002. 132:309–315.
15. Lee JH, Lee KR. Effect of electrical stimulation on the denervated muscle of the albino rat, sprague-dawley. The Journal of Korean Society of Physical Therapy. 1990. 2:47–63.
16. Llovera M, García-Martínez C, Agell N, López-Soriano FJ, Argilés JM. TNF can directly induce the expression of ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic system in rat soleus muscles. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 1997. 230:238–241.
17. Ma QP, Tian L, Woolf CJ. Resection of sciatic nerve re-triggers central sprouting of A-fibre primary afferents in the rat. Neuroscience Letters. 2000. 288:215–218.
18. Ogard WK, Stockert BW. Umphred DA, editor. Peripheral neuropathies. Neurological rehabilitation. 1995. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby;360–374.
19. Park KC, Kim KW, Kim YH. Combined femoraland sciatic nerve palsy associated with acetabular fracture and dislocation- A case report. Journal of Korean Fracture Society. 2005. 18:341–344.
20. Sakakima H, Yoshida Y, Morimoto N, Sakae K. The effect of denervation and subsequent reinnervation on the morphology of rat soleus muscles. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2002. 14:21–26.
21. Thomason DB, Booth FW. Atrophy of the soleus muscle by hindlimb unweighting. Journal of Applied Physiology. 1990. 68:1–12.
22. van Meeteren NL, Brakkee JH, Hamers FP, Helders PJ, Gispen WH. Exercise training improves functional recovery and motor nerve conduction velocity after sciatic nerve crush lesion in the rat. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 1997. 78:70–77.
23. Yoon BC, Yu BK, Lee MH. Exercise effects on the atrophy of denervated muscles in rat. Journal of the Korean Academy of University Trained Physical Therapists. 2000. 7(3):34–48.
TOOLS
Similar articles