Local autoimmune reaction and behavioral abnormalities after repeated nerve injury: an experimental study

Sciatic nerves of rats were submitted to single and repeated injuries. The animals' gait was used to study motor function; autophagia was used to study sensory effects. An association with local post-traumatic autoimmune reaction was sought, after histochemical studies of the nerves. Our results indicated that a preliminary nerve lesion had a slight but significant influence on the recovery observed after a subsequent injury: after secondary damage, motor recovery was slightly delayed and sensory abnormalities were suggested by significant increase in autophagia. A causal role of autoimmunization was suggested but not proven. An interpretation of autophagia is proposed.