The Effect of Ultrasound Irradiation on the Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules(NCAM) Expression in Rat Spinal Cord after the Sciatic Nerve Crush Injury

초음파가 흰쥐의 좌골신경 압좌손상 후 척수내 Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules의 발현에 미치는 영향

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effect on nerve regeneration of ultrasound irradiation in rats with peripheral nerve injury. Methods: To investigate alterations of the NCAM immunoreactivity in non-crushed part and crushed part of the spinal cord, the unilateral sciatic nerve of the rats were crushed. The expression of NCAM was used as the marked of peripheral nerve regeneration, and also plays an important role in developing nerve system. Experimental animals were sacrificed by perfusion fixation at post-injury 1, 3, 7, 14 days after ultrasound irradiation. The pulsed US was applied at a frequency of 1MHz and a spatial average-temporal average Intensity of 0.5W/of (20% pulse ratio) for 1 mins. The Luxol fast blue-cresyl violet stain were also done to observe the morphological changes. Results: Alteration of NCAM immunoreactivity in the crushed part and the non-crushed part of lower lumbar spinal cord were observed. NCAM-immunoreactivity cells were some increased in the dorsal horn lamina I, III and cell ventral horn at 1 day after unilateral sciatic nerve injury. However, there was not significant difference in the relationship between crushed part and non-crushed part. NCAM-inmmunoreactivity was remarkably increased at 3 days after unilateral sciatic nerve injuryin the gray matter and white matter. NCAM-immunoreactivity was increased in the ventral horn and post horn of experimental crushed part. Also, NCAM-immunoreactivity in large motor neurons in ventral horns lamina VIII, IX were increased at 7 days after unilateral sciatic nerve injury. At 14 days after sciatic nerve crushed injury, there was no significant difference. All group were decreased for 14 days. In the time course of NCAM expression, all groups showed a significant difference at 3day groups(p<0.05). Whereas, CC group was noted a significant difference between 3day and 7 day group respectively. In NCAM expression, there were significantly increased in all group. In the relationship between CNC group and ENC group, significant difference was detected among 3, 7, 14 day group(p<0.05). The difference between CC group and ENC group were noted in all groups(p<0.05). Conclusion: It is consequently suggested that the effects of the ultrasound irradiation may increase the NCAM immunoreactive neurons and glial cell in the spinal cord after unilateral sciatic nerve crushed injury. Therefore, the increased NCAM immunoreactivity in the spinal cord may reflect the neuronal damage and healing process induced by a ultrasound irradiation after peripheral nerve injury in rat.