Objective: To investigate the neurotrophic effect of endogenous NT-3 from adult cat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) on ganglionic neurons.
Methods: Rhizotomy of bilateral L1, L3, L5 and L7 dorsal roots of cats was performed, leaving L2, L4 and L6 DRG as spared DRGs. The separate neurons of normal (control) DRG, spared DRG and anti-NT-3 antibody blocking DRG were cultured in vitro respectively. The number of survival neurons and the length of neurites were measured and used for comparison in the control, spared DRG, and block groups.
Results: There were survival neurons and cell clusters in every group. The number of survival neurons and cell clusters of spared DRG group were much larger than those of the control and block groups. The neurite length of neurons, the neurite number and the length of cell clusters of spared DRG group were much greater than those of control and block groups.
Conclusion: Endogenous NT-3 from spared DRG may act on ganglionic neurons to maintain survival of neuron and stimulate growth of neurite.