Axonal transport of substance P-like immunoreactivity in regenerating rat sciatic nerve

Anterograde axonal transport of substance P-like immunoreactivity (SPLI) decreases after injury (crush or resection) to rat sciatic nerve. If the axons regenerate a partial recovery of transport occurs. If regeneration is impeded the decrease in transport is more severe and prolonged. No changes in the proportion of mobile SPLI (31%) or transport velocity (10.0 mm/h) occur. The decrease in SPLI transport largely accounts for the decline in SPLI content which occurs in nerve following injury and probably reflects decreased cell body synthesis.