Dynamic changes of mechanically activated channels and K+ channels at injury site of peripheral nerve in rat

Ectopic ion channels developed locally at the injury site after nerve damage by light ligation around common sciatic nerve of the rats. Different channel types have different processes of formation, accumulation and degeneration. During the first three days after injury, mechanically activated channels that are modulated by Ca++ channel activities first appeared. As the nerve fibers begin to be excited by TEA, a blocker of K+ channels, suggesting that the accumulation of K+ channels, the responsibility of mechanically activated channels was declining. Onset of K+ channels was from the 3rd postoperative day and lasted up to the fiftieth day. This time course of K+ channel development was closely related to allodynia and hyperalgesia of neuropathic animal behaviour. The results suggest that chronic contraction injury induces a dynamic change in the ectopic mechanically activated channels and K+ channels at the injury site of nerve and there is an interchange in the development time courses of the mechanically activated channels and K+ channels.