Sensory and motor conduction velocity in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract

Previous results from our laboratory show morphological and morphometric alterations in small and large myelinated fibers in adult SHR peripheral nerves. Nevertheless, the functional correlates of these alterations need further investigation. Thus, we aim to evaluate the sensory and motor electrophysiological parameters of the sciatic nerves in male and female SHR in 4 different ages: 5, 8, 20 and 40 weeks. Male and female normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats will be used as controls. Systolic arterial pressure will be measured by means of tail cuff pletismography one day before the experiments. On the experimental day, animals will be anesthetized and sensory and motor electroneuromyographic conduction studies performed on the right hind paw, using subdermal needle electrodes (Dantec-Medtronic® electromyograph instrument, Keypoint® 4 model). The motor and sensory conduction velocities will be investigated. At the end of the physiological study, the animals will be killed and their sural nerves will be prepared for light microscopy morphology and morphometry. Additional experimental groups, with animals aged 5, 8 and 20 weeks will also have their sural nerves morphologically investigated, in order to compare with the results obtained with the 40 weeks old animals. In this way, we will be able to associate the eventual morphological alterations with those function related findings. (AU)