Increased neurite outgrowth of cultured rat dorsal root ganglion cells following transection or inhibition of axonal transport of the sciatic nerve

Abstract

Dissociated dorsal root ganglion cells (DRGs), taken from rats 2 weeks after sciatic nerve transection, have an increase in the percentage of cells with neurites compared to DRGs taken from normal animals. This study examines the possible factors that may contribute to the nerve injury-induced increase in neuritogenesis. Topical application of the local anaesthetic, bupivicaine, either to the nerve trunk prior to transection or to the proximal nerve stump for 2 weeks had no effect on the increased neurite outgrowth induced by nerve transection. Neurite outgrowth was also not influenced by administration of either nerve growth factor (NGF) via the femoral artery into normal rats or anti-NGF a..