Objective To investigate the feasibility of establishing the visualization models of intraneural microvessels of sciatic nerves in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats by systemic infusion of Evan’s blue (EB) or lead oxide and to compare the advantages and disadvantages. Methods Fifteen healthy adult SD rats of either gender, weighing 200-250 g, were randomly divided into traditional group (group A, n=5), fluorescence group (group B, n=5), and radiography group (group C, n=5). Ink, EB, and lead oxide, all mixed with gelatin solution, were injected in groups A, B, and C, respectively. After 2 hours of cryopreservation under 4°C, all sciatic nerves were harvested and observed through stereomicroscope to make sure the filling condition. The two-dimentional (2D) images were then collected via reflexion fluorescent microscope in group B and via micro-CT scan in group C. All images were imported into computer to establish three-dimentional (3D) reconstruction models by Mimics 15.0. Results All groups could show the outline of intraneural microvessels of sciatic nerves under stereomicroscope. Diameters of them were measured under fluorescent microscope, ranging from 10 µm to 30 µm. Both groups B and C could establish 3D reconstruction models from 2D images. These models could clearly reproduce the structure of microvessels. Conclusion Both EB and lead oxide can be used to establish 3D reconstruction models to observe structure of the intraneural vessels. However, EB has some disadvantages, such as predisposition to infiltration, grainy 2D images and time-consuming procedure; it is not suitable for researches of large specimen. Though 2D pictures from lead oxide have lower resolution than EB, it is easier to be manipulated and appropriate for experiments of large specimen.
【Abstract】 Objective To observe the distribution feature of nerve bundles in C7 nerve anterior and posterior division end. Methods The brachial plexus specimen was harvested from 1 fresh adult cadaver. After C7 nerve was confirmed, the distal end of anterior and posterior division was dissected and embedded by OCT. Then the samples were serially horizontally sliced with each 10 μm deep. After acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemical staining, the stain characteristics of different nerve fiber bundles were observed and amount of the nerve fiber bundles were counted under optic-microscope. At last, the imaging which were collected were three-dimensional (3-D) reconstructed by using Amira 4.1 software. Results There was no obvious difference in the stain between the anterior and posterior divisions. The running of the nerve fiber bundles were dispersive from proximal end of nerve to distal end of nerve. Nerve fiber bundles of anterior division were mainly sensor nerve fiber bundles, which located in medial side. Nerve fiber bundles of posterior division were mainly moter nerve fiber bundles, having no regularity in the distribution of nerve fiber bundles. The total number of nerve fiber bundles in distal end of anterior division was 7.85 ± 1.04, the number of motor nerve fiber bundles was 2.85 ± 0.36, and the number of sensor nerve fiber bundles was 5.13 ± 1.01. The total number of nerve fiber bundles in distal end of posterior division was 9.79 ± 1.53, the number of motor nerve fiber bundles was 6.00 ± 0.69, and the number of sensor nerve fiber bundles was 3.78 ± 0.94. There were significant differences in the numbers of motor and sensor nerve fiber bundles between anterior and posterior divisions (P lt; 0.05). The microstructure 3-D model was reconstructed based on serial slice through Amira 4.1. The intercross and recombination process of nerves bundles could be observed obviously. The nerve bundle distribution showed cross and combination. Conclusion Nerve fiber bundles of anterior division are mainly sensor nerve fiber bundles and locate in medial side. Nerve fiber bundles of posterior division are mainly motor nerve fiber bundles, which has no regularity in the distribution of nerve fiber bundles. The 3-D reconstruction can display the internal structure feature of the C7 division end.