Animals ; Macaca mulatta ; Nerve Regeneration ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries ; physiopathology ; Peripheral Nerves ; physiology ; Rats

Assessment of peripheral nerve injury is a common task in forensic practice. As an objective assistance of inspection, electrophysiological examination is significant in the evaluation of peripheral nerve function after injury. There are currently several methods of electrophysiological examination, including I-T curve, EMG, NCV and SEP. Because electrophysiological examination can assess the injury and regeneration of peripheral nerve injury at different times, it is valuable to estimate prognosis of peripheral nerve injury in forensic medicine. Besides the electrophysiological examination, evaluation of the peripheral nerve injury needs to combine other clinical manifestations to provide an accurate appraisal.
Electrodiagnosis/methods* ; Electromyography/methods* ; Forensic Medicine ; Humans ; Neural Conduction/physiology* ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries ; Peripheral Nerves/physiopathology*

A large number of cancer patients suffer from pain. Growing evidence suggested that pain might be a serious risk factor for cancer patients. The shared modulators and modulation pathways between neural system and tumor cells, such as various neurotransmitters and neurogenic cytokines, provide essential basis for the effect of pain on tumor. In this article, we reviewed some possible mechanism of this process from two aspects: the systematic regulation of central nervous system on endocrine and immunity, and the regional regulation of peripheral nerves on tumor cells. The aim of this review is to provide more innovative knowledge about pain and cancer and to emphasize the importance of anti-pain in the therapy of cancer.
Cancer Pain ; physiopathology ; Central Nervous System ; Humans ; Memory ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Pain ; Peripheral Nerves

Acute Disease ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; complications ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Paraplegia ; etiology ; Peripheral Nerves ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo study the combined effect of low temperature and vibration on function of peripheral circulation and nerve.

METHODS64 rabbits were divided into control group, low temperature group, vibration group and combined effect group randomly, 16 each group. The changes of concentration of ET, Ang II, NO in plasma and SCV, amplitude of sensory nerve action potential, latency of sensory nerve action potential, MCV, distal amplitude of motor nerve, and distal latency of motor nerve were measured before and after experiment.

RESULTSAfter experiment, the concentration of ET, Ang II, NO and SCV, amplitude of sensory nerve action potential, latency of sensory nerve action potential, MCV, distal amplitude of motor nerve, and distal latency of motor nerve were (68.84+/-14.81) pg/ml, (544.01+/-70.20) pg/ml, (123.73+/-9.58) nmol/ml, (25.36+/-6.96) m/s, (1.84+/-0.65) microV, (4.05+/-1.04) m/s, (27.40+/-6.05) m/s, (1.60+/-0.52) microV, (3.51+/-1.30) m/s respectively in low temperature group; (70.22+/-15.02) pg/ml, (540.77+/-68.25) pg/ml, (129.46+/-11.99) nmol/ml, (27.69+/-6.16) m/s, (2.19+/-0.53) microV, (3.86+/-0.89) m/s, (30.03+/-5.21) m/s, (1.65+/-0.49) microV, (3.36+/-l.11) m/s respectively in vibration group; (88.47+/-13.20) pg/ml, (687.38+/-101.44) pg/ml, (70.66+/-4.99) nmol/ml, (20.82+/-3.65) m/s, (1.21+/-0.64) microV, (5.05+/-0.94) m/s, (19.97+/-4.37) m/s, (1.09+/-0.49) microV, (4.49+/-1.26) m/s respectively in combined effect group; compared with pre-experiment, the concentration of ET and Ang II in low temperature group, vibration group and combined effect group were increased after experiment, and the NO was decreased (P<0.05); the nerve conduct velocity and amplitude was decreased and the latency was delayed (P<0.05). After experiment, the concentrations of ET and Ang II in combined effect group were higher than low temperature group and vibration group, and the concentration of NO in combined effect group was lower than low temperature group and vibration group (P<0.05). After experiment, the SCV and MCV in combined effect group were slower than low temperature group and vibration group; the amplitude of sensory nerve action potential and distal amplitude of motor nerve were less than low temperature group and vibration group; the latency of sensory nerve action potential and distal latency of motor nerve in combined effect group was longer than low temperature group and vibration group. The factorial analysis results indicated the synergistic effect between low temperature and vibration (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONVibration-induced peripheral vascular impairment and nerve impairment would be intensified by low temperature.

Animals ; Blood Circulation ; physiology ; Cold Temperature ; adverse effects ; Female ; Male ; Peripheral Nerves ; physiopathology ; Rabbits ; Vibration ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the pathological mechanism in the repair of chronic spinal cord injury with free grafting of autoperipheral nerve tissues in rats.

METHODSThe SD rats were used to establish SCI model with modified Allen method. The rats were divided into two groups at 12 weeks after the injury, each group had 20 rats. In the experimental group, the sural nerves were removed epineurium and transplanted into SCI lesion by using microsurgical technique; and in the control group, the rats were treated without any operation. The survival and differentiation of the grafts, and the ability of repairing host spinal cord were observed under the light microscope at the postoperative 4th and 12th week. Regeneration rates of nerve tracts in spinal cord were evaluated by using HRP tracing technique at the postoperative 4th and 12th week. The morphological changes were observed at section of spinal cord and the motor functions of both hind legs of rats were detected.

RESULTSIn the control group, spinal cord exhibited degeneration with cicatrices and cavitates. In the experimental group, peripheral nerve was almost survived, fused with the spinal tissue and axons could regrow into or span the place of injured spinal cord. Higher number of labeled nerve tracts in spinal cord were observed in experimental group, there was significant difference when compared with the control group. Motor function of hind legs of rats recovered significantly in the treatment group.

CONCLUSIONAutoperipheral nerve graft tissues transplantation could survive and integrate with the host and have repairing effects on chronic spinal cord injury in rats.

Animals ; Female ; Male ; Peripheral Nerves ; transplantation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Transplantation, Autologous

OBJECTIVETo search for the best program for treatment of peripheral nerve incomplete injury.

METHODSNinety cases were randomly divided into a treatment group, a control group I and a control group II, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group were treated with electroacupuncture at Jianyu (LI 15), Hegu (LI 4), Quchi (LI 11), etc. plus functional training, and the control group I with electroacupuncture and the control group H with functional training. After treatment for 3 months, basic function, practical function, EMG, nerve conduction velocity were compared among the 3 groups.

RESULTSThe good rate of basic function of 50.0%, the curemarkedly effective rate of practical function of 50.0% and the total effective rate of neurophysiology of 64.3% in the treatment group were better than 20.7%, 17.2%, 41.4% in the control group I (P < 0.05) and 23.3%, 20.0% and 36.O7% in the control group II (P 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture combined with functional training can accelerate nervous repair, promote functional recovery of the denervated muscles, so as to shorten the restoring time of nerve-muscle and increase life quality of the patient.

Adult ; Electroacupuncture ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries ; Peripheral Nerves ; physiopathology ; Physical Therapy Modalities ; Upper Extremity ; innervation

BACKGROUNDPeripheral nerve injury causes a high rate of disability and a huge economic burden, and is currently one of the serious health problems in the world. The use of nerve grafts plays a vital role in repairing nerve defects. Acellular nerve grafts have been widely used in many experimental models as a peripheral nerve substitute. The purpose of this study was to test the biomechanical properties of acellular nerve grafts.

METHODSThirty-four fresh sciatic nerves were obtained from 17 adult male Wistar rats (age of 3 months) and randomly assigned to 3 groups: normal control group, nerve segments underwent no treatment and were put in phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4) and stored at 4°C until further use; physical method group, nerve segments were frozen at -196°C and then thawed at 37°C; and chemical method group, nerve segments were chemically extracted with the detergents Triton X-200, sulfobetaine-10 (SB-10) and sulfobetaine-16 (SB-16). After the acellularization process was completed, the structural changes of in the sciatic nerves in each group were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and field emission scanning electron microscopy, then biomechanical properties were tested using a mechanical apparatus (Endura TEC ELF 3200, Bose, Boston, USA).

RESULTSHematoxylin-eosin staining and field emission scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the effects of acellularization, demyelination, and integrity of nerve fiber tube of the chemical method were better than that of the physical method. Biomechanical testing showed that peripheral nerve grafts treated with the chemical method resulted in some decreased biomechanical properties (ultimate load, ultimate stress, ultimate strain, and mechanical work to fracture) compared with normal control nerves, but the differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNerve treated with the chemical method may be more appropriate for use in implantation than nerve treated with the physical method.

Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries ; therapy ; Peripheral Nerves ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sciatic Nerve ; physiopathology ; ultrastructure ; Tissue Engineering

Diseases of the peripheral nervous system are the most prevalent in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Although increased blood levels of lead in ESRD have been reported, the role of lead remains to be elucidated. The purpose of this study was to determine the connection of blood lead concentration with peripheral nerve conduction velocity. One hundred ninety-eight healthy subjects (control group) and 68 patients with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis (ESRD group) were enrolled. Nerve conduction was measured within two hours after hemodialysis. Orthodromic sensory nerve action potentials and compound muscle action potentials were recorded on the median, ulnar, and radial nerves. Hemoglobin-corrected blood lead was significantly higher in ESRD patients than in controls (9.1+/-2.8 microgram/dL vs. 5.9+/-2.3 microgram/dL, p<0.001). 32.4% of 68 ESRD patients with diabetes mellitus were significantly related to poorer motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity (p<0.001). However, blood lead was not a significant predictor of the nerve conduction velocity (p>0.05). Our result suggested that even though the blood lead levels were high in ESRD, they were not associated with the decline of peripheral nerve function. Diabetes mellitus is a primary independent risk of neuropathy in ESRD patients.
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/blood/etiology/physiopathology ; Peripheral Nerves/physiopathology ; Neural Conduction/*physiology ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Lead/*blood/metabolism ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/*blood/complications/*physiopathology ; Humans ; Female ; Diabetic Neuropathies/blood/physiopathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Bone and Bones/metabolism ; Body Burden ; Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical efficacy between acupuncture and intravenous administration of lipoic acid and alprostadil for distal symmetric multiple peripheral neuropathy of diabetes mellitus.

METHODSSixty patients were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (31 cases) and a medication group (29 cases). Patients in the two groups received basic treatment to control blood sugar within a safe range. On this basis, patients in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at Geshu (BL 17), Weiwanxiashu (EX-B 3), Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Zusanli (ST 36), Taixi (KI 3), ashi points, etc. Patients in the medication group were treated with intravenous administration of lipoic acid (0.6 g) and alprostadil (10 mg). The treatment was given once a day, 10 days for a course of treatment; there was an interval of 2 days between courses, and totally 3 courses were given. The score of peripheral neuropathy of diabetes mellitus, the change of nerve conduction: velocity and clinical efficacy before and after treatment in the two groups were observed.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the score of peripheral neuropathy was significantly reduced in the two groups (both P < 0.05), which was more significant in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) of median nerve and common peroneal nerve were significantly increased in the two groups (all P < 0.05). Compared between two groups, the SNCV and MNCV of common peroneal nerve in the acupuncture group were significantly superior to those in the medication group (both P < 0.05); the MNCV of median nerve in the acupuncture group was significantly superior to that in the medication group (P < 0.05); the SNCV of median nerve in the acupuncture group was not significantly different from that in the medication group (P > 0.05). The total effective rate was 83.9% (26/31) in the acupuncture group, which was significantly superior to 62.1% (18/29) in the medication group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture and conventional medication both have satisfied effects for distal symmetric multiple peripheral neuropathy of diabetes mellitus, and acupuncture is superior to medication on improving clinical signs of sensory disorder, reflection disturbance and muscle weakness, nerve conduction and clinical curative effect.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Diabetic Neuropathies ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Nerves ; physiopathology ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy