Quantitative analysis of dead dorsal root ganglion neurons following sciatic nerve injury in adult rats

Objective To analyze quantitatively the dead dorsal root ganglion neurons following peripheral nerve injury in adult rats. Methods The bilateral number of L4-L6 dorsal root ganglion neurons in normal adult SD rat was counted up. Then the right sciatic nerve of SD rat was cut and anastomo-sized. At different time points after operation, the L4-L6 dorsal root ganglia stained with HE was removed and the number of dorsal root ganglion neurons was counted. Results The bilateral number of L4-L6 dorsal root ganglion neurons in normal adult SD rat were symmetry, but the number of right dorsal root ganglion neurons following peripheral nerve injury was reduced. 30 days later, the rate of dead ganglion neurons was 30% .The dead ganglion neurons peaked during the second week of peripheral nerve injury. Conclusion Peripheral nerve injury could induce ganglion neuron death and the neuron death demonstrated itself character.