Vibration exposure and peripheral nerve fiber damage

The hind leg of adult rats was exposed to vibrations (82 Hz; amplitude peak-to-peak 0.21 mm) for 4 hours during 5 consecutive days. Light and electron microscopic examination of the plantar and sciatic nerves were done immediately after the exposure period or after a 2- or 4-week recovery period. Light microscopic examination did not reveal any distinct signs of injury. However, ultrastructurally unmyelinated fibers in the plantar nerves showed distinct changes, with deranged axoplasmic structure and/or accumulation of smooth endoplasmatic reticulum. These changes were to a large extent reversible in 2 weeks and appeared normalized after a 4-week recovery period. No ultrastructural changes could be observed in the sciatic nerve. However, when the sciatic nerve was crushed after 5 days of vibration exposure, axonal outgrowth was increased 23% as compared with controls. These findings confirm that vibration induces nerve fiber damage, in this experimental model expressed as a “conditioning effect” contributing to increased regeneration potential of the corresponding neurones.