Effects of axonal injury on norepinephrine, tyrosine hydroxylase and monoamine oxidase levels in sympathetic ganglia

T. B. Cheah, L. B. Geffen

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76 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A combined morphological and biochemical study was made of the responses of lumbar sympathetic ganglion cells to ligation of their axons in the sciatic nerve of the rat. There was a progressive accumulation of norepinephrine proximal to the ligature for the first few days without detectable changes in the ganglion cells. However, three days after ligation there was a decrease in the axoplasmic accumulation of norepinephrine, accompanied by pronounced falls in ganglion norepinephrine, tyrosine hydroxylase, and monoamine oxidase. These changes, that coincided with the development of signs of chromatolysis in the light and electron microscope, were fully developed one week after ligation and by one month were almost reversed. Proteolysis and death of chromatolytic cells may have made some contribution to the observed changes, but there were no significant changes in the soluble protein content of the lumbar ganglia, presumably because of the counter‐balancing increase in protein synthesis known to occur during chromatolysis and regeneration. It is suggested that axotomy caused a reordering of the priorities of protein synthesis in sympathetic neurones to favor the production of proteins necessary for regenerative rather than transmitter functions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)443-452
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Neurobiology
Volume4
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1973
Externally publishedYes

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