Impairment of Peripheral Nerve Healing After Nerve Repair in Rats Chronically Exposed To Alcohol

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of chronic alcoholism on the healing of repaired peripheral nerve and muscle. Group 1 rats (n = 9) were fed with an alcohol-free modified liquid diet (MLD) throughout the experiment and received no nerve transection or repair. Group 2 rats (n = 9) were fed the same isocaloric MLD and underwent nerve transection and repair. Group 3 (n = 7) consisted of alcoholic rats without nerve transection and repair and Group 4 (n = 8) consisted of alcoholic rats with nerve transection and repair. To assess the effects of chronic alcoholism on nerve healing, surgical procedures were applied to rats in Groups 2 and 4. After 2 months, posterior tibial nerve and gastrocnemius muscle samples were taken for histological analysis. Group 2 rats displayed a group of atrophic fibers, whereas Group 3 rats showed myophagocytosis and endomysial mononuclear infiltration and type 2 fiber atrophy. Group 4 rats displayed a large section of atrophic fibres. Axonal loss, prominent regenerative clusters and endoneural fibrosis occurred in Group 2 rats. Axonal and myelin degeneration, myelin remnants and thinly myelinated axons were exhibited in Group 3 rats, whereas severe axonal loss, myelin degeneration, regenerative clusters and endoneural fibrosis were discovered in Group 4. There was a significant difference in the number of myelinated axons among the various groups of rats. Our findings show that chronic alcoholism has a negative influence on peripheral nerve regeneration associated with a significant decrease in axon number and increased axonal degeneration.