Gene Probe for PO Messenger RNA Used to Index Acrylamide Toxic Neuropathy in Rats

摘要

Cumulative exposure to the neurotoxicant acrylamide produces axonal damage in thedistal ends of both central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nerve fibers and subsequent hind-limb paralysis. The messenger RNA which codes for the PNS myelin glycoprotein PO(PO-mRNA) was used to monitor this toxic neuropathy in Sprague Dawley rats prior to, concurrent with, and subsequent to, ultrastructurally and immunocytochemically defined nerve damage. Rats were dosed every other day with acrylamide (50 mg/kg, IP) and sampled intermittently throughout a 4 week exposure period. Slot blot and Northern gel analyses of the proximal and distal sciatic nerve were used to determine a quantitated measure of PO-mRNA. Results suggest that changes in neural specific mRNAs are sensitive to neurotoxic damage and can be used to monitor the pathogenesis of nerve degeneration.