Related Experiment Videos
Muscle denervation in peripheral arterial disease
J D England1, J G Regensteiner, S P Ringel
1Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver.
Neurology
|May 1, 1992
Summary
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) can cause chronic partial denervation in leg muscles, impacting nerve and muscle function. This muscle denervation may contribute to reduced exercise performance in PAD patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Medicine
- Skeletal Muscle Physiology
Background:
- Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) frequently impairs muscle function.
- The specific effects of repeated ischemic events on nerves and muscles in PAD are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of PAD-related ischemia on nerve and skeletal muscle.
- To characterize chronic denervation-reinnervation in PAD patients.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive electrophysiologic studies were conducted.
- Skeletal muscle histologic analysis was performed.
- PAD patients and healthy controls were compared.
Main Results:
- PAD patients exhibited electrophysiologic and histologic evidence of chronic partial denervation-reinnervation in distal muscles of ischemic legs.
- Two PAD patients showed milder distal denervation in nonischemic legs.
- Control subjects generally showed normal findings, with exceptions attributed to specific spinal nerve root issues.
Conclusions:
- Recurrent ischemia in PAD appears to cause muscle denervation.
- This denervation is a potential mechanism underlying decreased exercise performance in PAD.