Korean J Anesthesiol.  1989 Apr;22(2):230-237. 10.4097/kjae.1989.22.2.230.

Electron Microscopic Examination of Neurohistological Changes Following Narcotics Injection on Peripheral Nerve of Rats

• Bae JI
• Cheun JK
• Kim AR
• Kim JM
• Jee DL
• Chung CH
• Yim MB

• KMID: 2240796
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1989.22.2.230

Abstract

We have already reported good effect of meperidin and pentazocin as the sole agent for spinal anesthesia. The present study was undertaken to examine toxic effects of pentazocin and meperidine on peripheral nerve tissue. 11 rats were divided into three groups i.e. pentazocine, meperidine and control group. The sciatic nerves of adult rats were exposed and injected with pentazocin 0.5ml(15mg) or meperidine 0.5ml (25mg). Two specimens of normal nerve and another two specimens injected with normal saline 0.5 ml were used as the controIs. The nerve was examined under electron microcopy at 24 hours, 48 hours, 1 week and 4 weeks after the injection of each of the drugs. A total of twenty injections were carried out in 11 rats. The results were as follows: The pentazocien group revealed hydropic changes in the mitochondria and ER of axon and Schwann cell but the degree of injury was not significant and was reversible. The meperidine group showed hydropic changes that were not significant but the specimen taken at one week revealed severe axonal and myeline changes, admixed with fat globules and Schwann cell with severe fatty changes in the cytoplasm. Although most of the above mentioned changes may reverse, it is not certain yet that pentazocin and meperidine are free of toxicity on nerve cells until further study is done to find the causes of the severe histolgical changes which were shown in the one week specimen with demerol.

Keyword

Neurohistological change; Peripheral nerve; Analgesics: meperidine; Pentazocine

MeSH Terms

Adult
Anesthesia, Spinal
Animals
Axons
Cytoplasm
Humans
Meperidine
Mitochondria
Myelin Sheath
Narcotics*
Neurons
Pentazocine
Peripheral Nerves*
Rats*
Sciatic Nerve
Meperidine
Narcotics
Pentazocine