Effect of ciliary neurotrophic factors in spinal motor neurons on sciatic nerve injury in rats

Objective To study the change of ciliary neurotrophic factors (CNTF) in spinal motor neurons and its relationship with the degree of degeneration and death of the spinal motor neurons following sciatic nerve injury in rats. Methods The sciatic nerve injury was induced by cutting and removing part of the sciatic nerve in the adult Wistar rats aging 3 d. The rats were allowed to survive for 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 d, respectively. The extent of the death and degeneration of the spinal motor neurons was examined, and the level of CNTF in the spinal motor neurons was also measured with image analysis. Results The level of CNTF in the spinal motor neurons was reduced following sciatic nerve injury, and it was lowest in the 2nd week after injury. Then it increased gradually, and reached the normal level on the 28th d following sciatic nerve injury. The change of the spinal motor neurons under light microscopy was similar to that of CNTF. Conclusions The level of CNTF in the spinal motor neurons changes following sciatic nerve injury, and the death and degeneration of the spinal motor neurons may be induced by the peripheral nerve injury. The level of CNTF in the spinal motor neurons is negative with the extent of the death and degeneration of the spinal motor neurons.