Maturation of the spontaneous transmitter release by regenerated nerve endings in vitamin E-deficient rats.

In order to verify the importance of the protection against lipid peroxidation in presynaptic differentiation and maturation, the reappearance and maturation of the spontaneous transmitter release during the extensor digitorum longus muscle reinnervation following a lesion of the sciatic nerve were studied in normal and vitamin E-deficient rats. The study was carried out by intracellular recordings in order to observe the miniature end plate potentials in the reinnervated end plates. In control and vitamin E-deficient rats the first signs of muscle innervation reappeared simultaneously, but in the latter the spontaneous transmitter release mechanism matured more slowly; furthermore, in the long-term, very low mepp frequencies continued to occur. The data suggest a slowing of the transmitter release mechanism maturation and a protracted rearrangement of innervation in the deficient rats.