The effect of ciliary neurotrophic factor on spinal motor neuron death and degeneration following axotomy in the rat

Objective To study the effect and mechanism of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) on the spinal motor neuron death and degeneration following peripheral nerve lesion in the rat. Method The peripheral nerve lesion was induced by cutting and removing part of the sciatic nerve in rats. The rats were allowed to survive with CNTF or without it at the lesion for 3, 7, 14, 21, 28days. The extent of spinal motor neuron death and degeneration was examined, the number and morphology of spinal motor neuron were measured with image analysis in the CNTF group and the control group respectively. Result The extent of spinal motor neuron death and degeneration was smaller in the CNTF group than that in the control group, The protective effect was stronger in the 3 days rats than that in the adult rats. Conclusion CNTF can protect the spinal motor neuron against death and degeneration following peripheral nerve lesion.