Objective: In order to study the changes of CGRP activity in facial nucleus of guinea pig after facial nerve injury.
Method: The activity of CGRP was detected by the technique of immunohistochemical and image analysis methods were used.
Result: It was showed the there were CGRP-immunoreactivity (IR) in normal facial nucleus and its' subnucleus. An initial increase of CGRP-IR was noted and the content of CGRP under image analysis were significantly different when compared with control group (P < 0.01) at day 1 after injury of facial nerve. CGRP continued to rise to a maximal level at day 7 (P < 0.001). And after which it gradually decreased. We noticed distinct bundle-shaped CGRP fibers elongated to the peripheral part from ventral facial nucleus in the period of 14 d-35 d.
Conclusion: It suggests that during the course of facial nerve regeneration following injury, CGRP changed characteristically. CGRP may play the regulational role in facial nerve regeneration.