Effect of lanthanum-induced blockade of calcium channels on nerve regeneration

Systemic lanthanum chloride administration results in impeded myelin formation of regenerating peripheral axons and in marked decrease of regenerative elongation of dorsal root axons within the upper dorsal horn of the spinal cord. It is assumed that the inhibitory action of lanthanum ions is based on a competitive antagonism with calcium ions, insofar as lanthanum ions induce blockade of calcium channels in axonal growth cones. Consequently, motility: of axonal filopodia emanating from axonal growth cones, instrumental in longitudinal growth of regenerating central axons, is inhibited by lanthanum ions. Supposedly, a similar inhibitory action upon rotational movement of Schwann cells results in the retarded myelinization of peripheral axons.