Peripheral axon caliber and conduction velocity are decreased after burn injury in mice

Abstract

Peripheral neuropathies are reported to arise as a result of the systemic inflammatory response produced by a full-thickness cutaneous burn injury. This study was designed to characterize the magnitude and time course of functional and morphological changes in peripheral axons that arise after a full-thickness dermal burn injury in an animal model. A 20% body surface area (20% BSA) full-thickness dermal burn was applied to the back of C57BL6 female mice. Longitudinal H- and M-wave recordings were used to determine the conduction velocities (CV) of large myelinated motor and sensory axons in the tibial nerve of sham control and burn-injured mice. Motor CVs were significantly reduced from 6 h to 28 days after the burn, and sensory CVs were significantly reduced from 7 to 14 days after the burn. Morphological evaluation also showed that the mean caliber of large axons in tibial nerves and L5 ventral and dorsal roots in burned mice was significantly decreased. The results demonstrate that both functional and morphological deficits may be produced in peripheral nerve axons at sites well removed from a full-thickness dermal burn injury. The neural deficits may contribute to changes in neuromuscular transmission and the development of limb and respiratory muscle weakness that also accompany burn injury.

Effect of Motor Imagery in the Rehabilitation of Burn Patients

“…For example, peripheral axon caliber and conduction velocity have been found to decrease after burn injury. 54 Despite such important peripheral damages, however, the present findings support the hypothesis stating that MI helps keeping the motor program active, thus priming and facilitating the future execution of movements by improving neuronal plasticity and preserving motor functions. 27 Thus, the implementation of a guided MI framework within conventional therapy seems to be a promising substitute and/or complement to executed movements to activate some compensatory networks for motor rehabilitation.…”

Peripheral Neuropathy and Nerve Compression Syndromes in Burns

“…In rats, histological evaluation of nerve fibers following burn injury have shown Wallerian degeneration of axons, disintegration of the myelin sheath, and degeneration of the motor end plate. 36,37 A decrease in the caliber of large axons have been demonstrated with histological studies. 36,37 Furthermore, increased platelet aggregation, accelerated fibrin deposition, and clot formation have been shown to occur following burn injury, leading to vascular occlusion of the vasa nervorum.…”

“…36,37 A decrease in the caliber of large axons have been demonstrated with histological studies. 36,37 Furthermore, increased platelet aggregation, accelerated fibrin deposition, and clot formation have been shown to occur following burn injury, leading to vascular occlusion of the vasa nervorum. 38,39 Additional studies have demonstrated that cutaneous burns induce the release of large molecules from damaged epidermal and dermal cells, which increases interstitial oncotic pressure and stimulates fluid loss leading to edema formation.…”

Successful storage of peripheral nerves using University of Wisconsin solution with polyphenol

“…In general, the MNCV reflects the conduction velocity of the myelinated fibers that have the maximum diameter (Waxman, 1980;Higashimori et al, 2005). The mean axon diameter of the F-and P-nerve groups was significantly greater than that of the UW-nerve group; however there was no significant difference in the MNCV among the groups.…”