Changes of CGRP expression in hypoglossal nucleus of rats after hypoglossal nerver transection

Objective To investigate the changes of calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP) expression in the hypoglossal nucleus of rats after hypoglossal nerver transection.Methods The left sides of thirty-six SD rats were operated with hypoglossal nerve transection,while the corresponding right sides were only done with hypoglossal nerve dissociation.On the 3rd,7th,14th,21st,28th,and 35th day after operation,the brain stems containing hypoglossal nucleus were taken out,respectively.The changes of CGRP expression in the left and right hypoglossal nucleus were detected by immunohistochemistry and image analysis technique.Results CGRP was distributed in the hypoglossal nucleus of normal rats,and the CGRP expression on the left side was significantly higher than that on the right side at different times after operation(P0.05).Conclusion The injury of peripheral hypoglossal nerve leads to an increase of CGRP expression in the hypoglossal nucleus,indicating that CGRP plays a regulatory role in the regeneration process of the injured hypoglossal nerve.