J Reconstr Microsurg 2013; 29(01): 063-066
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1328917
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Hindpaw Withdrawal from a Painful Thermal Stimulus after Sciatic Nerve Compression and Decompression in the Diabetic Rat

Sorin Barac
1   Division for Reconstructive Microsurgery, Clinic of Vascular Surgery, General County Emergency Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
*   These authors contributed equally to this study.
,
Lucian P. Jiga
1   Division for Reconstructive Microsurgery, Clinic of Vascular Surgery, General County Emergency Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
*   These authors contributed equally to this study.
,
Beatrice Barac
2   Department of Pharmacology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
,
Teodora Hoinoiu
1   Division for Reconstructive Microsurgery, Clinic of Vascular Surgery, General County Emergency Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
,
A. Lee Dellon
1   Division for Reconstructive Microsurgery, Clinic of Vascular Surgery, General County Emergency Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
3   Departments of Plastic Surgery and Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Mihai Ionac
1   Division for Reconstructive Microsurgery, Clinic of Vascular Surgery, General County Emergency Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

27 June 2011

09 July 2012

Publication Date:
16 November 2012 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction Although the effect of chronic compression and surgical decompression of the diabetic rat sciatic nerve has been evaluated by walking track analysis, the measurement of sensory function by response to thermal nociceptive stimulation has not been investigated.

Methods Fifteen male Wistar rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes underwent sciatic nerve compression through a 10-mm silicone band. Five rats had histology done 60 days after confirming chronic nerve compression. Pain threshold was measured using hindlimb withdrawal times (HLWT) from a heat stimulus. After 60 days of compression, the silicone tube was removed. Five nondiabetic, nonbanded rats were used as controls.

Results Control mean HLWT was 9.7 ± 1.5 sec. In the diabetes group (60 days of compression), mean HLWT was 23.6 ± 2.4 sec. (p < 0.001). Thirty days after removal of the silicone, mean HLWT to painful stimuli was 14.9 ± 1.5 sec. (p < 0.001).

Conclusion Chronic compression of the diabetic rat sciatic nerve increases (worsens) the threshold to heat (pain) perception. Decompression reverses this effect (improves nociception).