EFFECTS OF LOW TEMPERATURE AND COLCHICINE ON REGENERATING SCIATIC NERVE

The sciatic nerves of adult cats were either crushed or transected and repaired, and studied histochemically at 1-14 days thereafter. Each type of injury was subjected to local administration of colchicine or to low temperature and changes in regeneration of nerve fibers were noted. Stains for DPNH-tetrazolium reductase and acid phosphatase, as well as general axon and connective-tissue stains, were used on alternate serial sections. Axonal regeneration was improved after cooling to 5 C, apparently influenced by the decreased fascicular swelling. Freezing (-35 C) also enhanced regeneration, apparently due to the increased breakdown of myelin and the release of hydrolytic enzymes. Colchicine inhibited early proliferation of the neurilemma cells, which reduced the axonal regeneration and myelination. © 1969.