Experimental study of demyelination and the changes of calcium, potassium and sodium in compressed sciatic nerve of rabbits

Objective: To study demyelination with the changes of calcium, potassium and sodium in compressed sciatic nerve Methods: Acute, graded nerve compression was applied to the sciatic nerves of adult rabbits in whom an inflatable miniature plexiglas compression device had been implanted in the both side sciatic nerves The external pressure of 0、4、8、12 kPa were used to compress nerves for 1 hour Nerves were excised at 7 days, 2 um thickens transverse sections and teased fibers were made Used absorbedatomic spectrum to do K⁺,Na⁺,Ca⁺⁺ quantity analysis Results: The demyelination was the predominant lesion in nerves subjected to pressure and was commonly present in nerves aroun which the compression chamber remained uninflated The levels of calcium, potassium and sodium in compression nerve segments were significantly elevated over control values Conclusion: The degrade of demylination and calcium, potassium and sodium in compression nerve segments were in right proportion to presser The demylination was unremarkable far from the injured position of nerves The ion imbalance may caused the secondary nerves injuries