The correlation between calcium absorption and electrophysiological recovery in crushed rat peripheral nerves.

The correlation between calcium ion (Ca2+) concentration and electrophysiological recovery in crushed peripheral nerves has not been studied. Observing and quantifying the Ca2+ intensity in live normal and crushed peripheral nerves was performed using a novel microfine tearing technique and Calcium Green-1 Acetoxymethyl ester stain, a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator. Ca2+ was shown to be homogeneously distributed in the myelinated sheaths. After a crush injury, there was significant stasis in the injured zone and the portion distal to the injury. The Ca2+ has been almost completely absorbed after 24 weeks in the injured nerve to be similar to the controls. The process of the calcium absorption was correlated with the Compound Muscle Action Potential recovery process of the injured nerves. This correlation was statistically significant (r = -0.81, P < 0.05). The better understanding of this process will help us to improve nerve regeneration after peripheral nerve injury. Copyright 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010.