Although lLTHOUGH no completely satisfactory explanation for the changes occurring in the transected nerve has been established, nevertheless, changes in some enzymes associated with experimental wallerian degeneration have been reported. Most prominent among these are acetylcholinesterase, phosphatases, succinic dehydrogenase, and β-glucuronidase.1-8 Less information, however, is available related to the changes in those enzymes involved in the glycolytic cycle and in the direct oxidative pathway occurring during wallerian degeneration.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the changes in the glycolytic cycle (lactic dehydrogenase), in the phospholipid synthesis (glycerophosphate dehydrogenase), and the pentose shunt (glucose-6-phosphate and phosphogluconic dehydrogenases).
Material and Methods
The right sciatic nerve was severed in 33 adult albino rabbits. No attempt was made to control the age, sex, or weight of the animals since similar areas of the left sciatic nerve were used as controls.The sciatic nerve was exposed in a routine manner. The tibial