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Preganglionic Parasympathetic Denervation Rabbit Model for Innervation Studies
Hiroshi Toshida1, Chikako Suto2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan.
Purpose:
Tear secretion from the main lacrimal gland (LG) is mainly regulated by parasympathetic nerves. We performed several innervation studies to investigate lacrimation.
Methods:
In male rabbits, we performed a retrograde dye-tracing study of LG innervation, evaluated preganglionic parasympathetic denervation, and administered glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in the surgical area after parasympathetic denervation.
Results:
Accumulation of fluorescent dye was observed in the pterygopalatine ganglion cells on the same side as the dye injection into the main LG. Fewer stained cells were observed in the cervical and trigeminal ganglia. After parasympathetic denervation surgery, tear secretion was decreased, and fluorescein and rose bengal staining scores were increased at day 1 after surgery and remained increased for 3 months on the denervated side only. Most of the effects in rabbits with parasympathetic denervation were not recovered by administration of GDNF.
Conclusions:
The main LG is primarily innervated by parasympathetic nerves to stimulate tear secretion. After preganglionic parasympathetic denervation, lacrimation was decreased, resulting in dry eyes, and this was maintained for at least 3 months. Administration of GDNF only minimally altered the effects of denervation.
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