Nodal and terminal sprouting by regenerating nerve in vitamin E-deficient rats

The increased number of polyinnervated cells in normal and reinnervated extensor digitorum longus (edl) muscle of vitamin E-deficient rats suggests enhanced sprouting by motor neurons in conditions of decreased protection against lipid peroxidation. End-plates and terminal axons were observed by a combined technique that shows both end-plate acetylcholinesterase area and axons. Quantitative observations of nodal and terminal sprouting in normally innervated and reinnervated edl muscles of vitamin E-deficient rats were carried out. Branch points of nerve terminal within end-plates were also observed. Three main results were obtained. First, a notable increase of both terminal and nodal sprouting was found in reinnervated muscles of normal and vitamin E-deficient rats; moreover, a relative increase in the number of nodal sprouts occurs in the long run. Second, in muscles of uninjured, vitamin E-deficient rats, nodal and terminal sprouting and branching within end-plate was greater than in controls. Third, nodal sprouting by regenerating axons was more affected by vitamin E-deficiency than terminal sprouting and branching within end-plates.