Expressive changes of Galβ-1,4-GlcNAc in the rat sciatic nerve after crushed

Objective: To investigate expressive changes of Galβ-1, 4-GlcNAc and explore its potential roles for nerve regeneration after crushing rat sciatic nerve. Methods: The synthesis and localization of Galβ-1 ,4-GlcNAc in crushed sciatic nerves were studied by immunofluorescence and lectin histochemistry of Ricinus Communis Agglutinin-I (RCA-I). The expressive changes of them in normal and crushed sciatic nerves were analyzed and compared by image analysis. Results: The results indicated that the Galβ-1, 4-GlcNAc localized mainly in Schwann cells of crushed nerves and reached the peak at the 7th day after the nerve crushed and decreased gradually. Conclusions: Galβ-1, 4-GlcNAc appeared in Schwann cells of damaged nerves and might play a role in the nerve regeneration at the early stage after the sciatic nerve crushed.