Experimental study of the fungiform papilla and taste bud regeneration following microsurgical repair of lingual nerve in rat

Abstract

To investigate the changes of taste buds following injury to lingual nerve and the regeneration of the fungiform papillae and taste buds following microsurgical epineurial anastomosis of transecting injured lingual nerves in rats. We observed the numbers and shapes of the fungiform papillae and taste buds with stereomicroscope, light microscope, and scanning electron microscope at 20 and 100 days after the clamp injury to lingual nerve, or the transecting injury to lingual nerve with/without immediate microsurgical epineurial anastomosis of the injured lingual nerve in rats. The fungiform papillae and taste buds degenerated, atrophied and their numbers diminished obviously at 20 days following either the clamp injury or transecting injury to the lingual nerve. The fungiform papillae and taste buds didn't regenerate spontaneously at 100 days following transection of the lingual nerve without microsurgery. The degenerated fungiform papillae and taste buds regenerated and recovered completely at 100 days following both clamp injury to the lingual nerve and transection of the lingual nerve with immediate microsurgical epineurial anastomosis. The degenerated fungiform papillae and taste buds have good ability to regenerate spontaneously following clamp injury to the lingual nerve; the degenerated fungiform papillae and taste buds can regenerate completely with immediate microsurgical epineurial anastomosis of the transected lingual nerve. The quantity and morphology of fungiform papillae and taste buds can be used as objective indicators in the function rehabilitation of injured lingual nerve.