MORPHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENTS OF THE RADIAL NERVE ARE INTENSITY-DEPENDENT

AJUSTES MORFOLÓGICOS DO NERVO RADIAL SÃO DEPENDENTES DE INTENSIDADE

AJUSTES MORFOLÓGICOS DEL NERVIO RADIAL SON DEPENDIENTES DE INTENSIDAD

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Peripheral nerve adaptation is critical for strength gains. However, information about intensity effects on nerve morphology is scarce.

Objective:

To compare the effects of different intensities of resistance training on radial nerve structures.

Methods:

Rats were divided into three groups: control (GC), training with 50% (GF1) and training 75% (GF2) of the animal’s body weight. The morphological analysis of the nerve was done by light and transmission electron microscopy. One-way ANOVA and the Tukey’s post hoc test were applied and the significance level was set at p≤0.05.

Results:

Training groups had an increase of strength compared to GC (p≤0.05). All measured nerve components (mean area and diameter of myelin fibers and axons, mean area and thickness of the myelin sheath, and of neurofilaments and microtubules) were higher in GF2 compared to the other (p≤0.05).

Conclusion:

Results demonstrated greater morphological changes on radial nerve after heavier loads. This can be important for rehabilitation therapies, training, and progression.

Keywords:
anatomy; neurons; neuroglia; peripheral nerves; resistance training.

RESUMO

Introdução:

A adaptação dos nervos periféricos é fundamental para ganhos de força. No entanto, as informações relativas aos efeitos da intensidade sobre a morfologia do nervo são escassas.

Objetivo:

Comparar os efeitos de diferentes intensidades de treinamento de resistência sobre estruturas do nervo radial.

Métodos:

Os ratos foram divididos em três grupos: controle (GC) e treinamento com 50% (GF1) e 75% (GF2) do peso corporal do animal. A análise morfológica do nervo foi feita com microscopia óptica e eletrônica de transmissão. A one-way ANOVA e o teste post hoc de Tukey foram aplicados e o nível de significância foi estabelecido em p ≤ 0,05.

Resultados:

Os grupos treinamento tiveram aumento de força com relação ao GC (p ≤ 0,05). Todos os componentes medidos do nervo (área média e diâmetro de fibras de mielina e axônios, área média e espessura da bainha de mielina, neurofilamentos e microtúbulos) foram maiores no GF2 em comparação com os demais (p ≤ 0,05).

Conclusão:

Os resultados demonstraram maiores alterações morfológicas no nervo radial depois de cargas mais pesadas. Isso pode ser importante para terapias de reabilitação, treinamento e progressão.

Descritores:
anatomia; neurônios; neuroglia; nervos periféricos; treinamento de resistência.

RESUMEN

Introducción:

La adaptación de los nervios periféricos es fundamental para el aumento de fuerza. Sin embargo, la información sobre el efecto de la intensidad sobre la morfología del nervio es escasa.

Objetivo:

Comparar el efecto de diferentes intensidades de entrenamiento de resistencia en las estructuras del nervio radial.

Métodos:

Las ratas se dividieron en tres grupos: control (GC) y entrenamiento con 50% (GF1) y con 75% (GF2) del peso corporal del animal. El análisis morfológico del nervio se hizo con microscopía óptica y electrónica de transmisión. Se aplicaron la prueba ANOVA de una vía y la prueba post hoc de Tukey y el nivel de significación se fijó en p ≤ 0,05.

Resultados:

Los grupos de entrenamiento tuvieron aumento de la fuerza con respecto al grupo control (p ≤ 0,05). Todos los componentes medidos del nervio (área media y diámetro de las fibras de mielina y axones, área media y espesor de la vaina de mielina, neurofilamentos y microtúbulos) fueron mayores en GF2 en comparación con los otros grupos (p ≤ 0,05).

Conclusión:

Los resultados mostraron mayores cambios morfológicos en el nervio radial después de las cargas más pesadas. Esto puede ser importante para terapias de rehabilitación, entrenamiento y progresión.

Descriptores:
anatomía; neuronas; neuroglía; nervios periféricos; entrenamiento de resistencia.

INTRODUCTION

Among all exercise programs, endurance (ET) and resistance training (RT) might elicit specific effects on nerve adaptation/regeneration after injury, metabolic imbalance or training^1-4. ET attenuates oxidative reactions and preserves Schwann cells and myelin sheath from pathologic changes⁵. Meanwhile, RT increases motor unit activation and muscle coordination in well-trained men⁶.

Ladder climbing (LC) training is an effective RT equipment that recruits many muscle motor units and has been shown to be one of the most used training apparatus, possibly recruiting hind limb and forelimb muscles^7-10. Thus, only a few papers published have shown upper limb muscles adaptation to LC or other RT equipment for rodents¹⁰. Yet, data about upper limb nerve adaptation to RT are scarce.

There is a consensus among authors that positive effects of RT are directly related to intensity, number of sets and rest interval⁸. In accordance, many methods of RT increases muscle strength, partly, due to higher nervous system activity^6,11 According to American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines, intensity above 60% of the maximum strength capacity must be enough to induce strength gains on health adults. However, many rehabilitation and training centers use lower intensities (Ex. 50% of the maximum voluntary capacity) to promote muscular strength gains, as most patients might present important co-morbidities which impossibilities then to train with higher loads^12,13. Meanwhile, during rehabilitation/training progression, the applicability of heavier training loads may induce a more robust strength gain and nerve plasticity. Nevertheless, until now, no evidence showed the relationship between different intensities of RT and morphological adaptation of peripheral nerves. Our hypothesis is that muscle strength gains accompany the changes in peripheral nerve morphological adaptation.

The aim of the present study was to assess whether different intensities of RT promotes different effects on structural components of the Radial nerve (Rn).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee on Animal Experimentation of the Universidade São Judas Tadeu (USJT) and performed at the Laboratory of Morphoquantitative Studies and Immunohistochemistry (0009/2011). During the experiment, the animals were kept in collective cages (three in each) at controlled room temperature (23°C) and light-dark cycle (12h light/12h dark). The rats had free access to a diet containing carbohydrate (52%), protein (21%) and lipid (4%) (Nuvilab CR1, Nuvtal Nutrients Ltda, Curitiba, PR, Brazil) and received water ad libitum. We divided 24 young male Wistar rats (three months old) into three groups: GC - animals kept as control of the experiment (n=8), GF1 - animals resistance trained with 50% of it body weight (n = 8) and GF2 - animals resistance trained with 75% of it body weight (n = 8).

Maximum load carrying capacity test and training protocol

Rodent RT was done using LC, constructed as described by Hornberger and Farrar¹⁴. Such equipment consisted of a wooden ladder measuring 110 cm height with metal steps and inclination of 80 degrees (Figure 1A). The animals climbed in order to achieve a rest area at the top of the equipment. No reward or stress was needed to teach the rats to climb the ladder.

Figure 1
Ladder climbing for rodents resistance training. Left picture (A) shows the training equipment and at right (B) the animal is climbing the ladder with the weight tailed to it.

The three groups were subjected to maximum load carrying capacity test (MLCC) in a pre- to post-training manner¹⁴. The MLCC consisted of climbing the equipment with an initial load of 75% of it body weight. Subsequent increases of 30 grams were done until animal reached “failure”. Failure was defined as the animal unsuccessful to climb the apparatus for three consecutive attempts. Load was tied to the animal´s tail through a tape attached to a musket (Figure 1B). The animal rested for 120 seconds between each climb attempt. There were no limit of maximum climbs number during the testing period.

GF1 and GF2 groups trained during the morning (11:00am), five times per week and for eight weeks. Each rat in GF1 group performed six climbs with load equals to 50% of it body weight. The animals of group GF2 performed the same number of climbs, although with 75% of it body weight. Both groups rest 2 minutes between each climb. The animals in GC climbed the ladder once a day just to pass by the same procedures as animals of the other groups. This procedure was not expected to induce any additional change on the variables to be measured. At the end of each week, animals were weighted and loads adjusted. Total training volume was not equalized because this study aimed to compare each training load effects on nerve adaptation. Therefore, it was applied on purpose. Equally, loading choice (50 and 75% b.w) was done thinking just on training progression manner and factual comparison.

After final MLCC, the animals were euthanized with an intraperitoneal injection of sodium pentobarbital overdose (250 mg/kg). Rn fragment of approximately 0.5 cm long was taken from each animal. These fragments were placed in fixative solution of 2.5% Glutaraldehyde in phosphate buffer (0.2M, pH 7.3) for three hours. Following, it was washed three times with the same buffer solution for five minutes each time, and subsequently, placed in a solution of Osmium tetroxide in 1% phosphate buffered for two hours. The fragments remained overnight in 0.5% Uranyl acetate. Continuing, material was washed with buffer solution and dehydrated in ascending series of alcohol and propylene oxide for eight hours under rotation. The nerves were embedded in pure resin, in such a position that the nerve fibers were cross-sectioned, remaining there for five hours. Finally, in the same resin, it remained for five days. The thin sections were placed on slides and stained with Toluidine blue. After selection of fields, the ultrathin sections were obtained with a diamond knife using an ultramicrotome (Sorvall MT-2, Liverpool, NY - USA). After being contrasted with Uranyl acetate and lead citrate, it was examined in the transmission electron microscope (Jeol, ICB, USP, São Paulo, SP - Brazil). Ten electronic photomicrographs of each nerve were captured by randomly selected fields.

Morphoquantitative analysis was performed using computerized image analysis software (Axio Vision, Zeiss, Germany). In photomicrographs with increased x2000, we obtained: 1) mean area and diameter of myelinated fibers, 2) mean area and diameter of the myelinated axons, 3) mean area and thickness of myelin sheaths, and 4) average of Schwann cells quantified per area of 64 µm². For last, we obtained the mean number of microtubules and neurofilamentos (per area of 125 nm²) contained in the cytoplasm of myelinated axons using a final magnification of x40000 (Figure 2). A total of 240 fields were analyzed for each group.

Figure 2
A) Myelinated axon (left) interior part seen with great amplification (right); B) Showing microtubules (black arrows) and neurofilamentos (white arrows) in axon cytoplasm. Bar: a- 10 µm; b - 0,025 µm.

Statistical analyses

Data​ were tabulated (mean ± SD) and compared statistically by one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey test. The level of significance was placed as p≤0.05 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, Microsoft, version 21.0, USA).

RESULTS

MLCC Test

Compared to GC, GF1 and GF2 increased carrying load capacity at 53% and 62%, respectively (p ≤0.05). Further analysis, showed that GF2 group presented 6% greater increase than GF1 (P ≤0.05). Data are presented in Table I.

Table 1
Pre to post training values (mean ± SD) from animal´s Maximum Load Carrying Capacity in the control (CG) and trained (GF1 and GF2) groups. (grams).

	GC	GF1	GF2
PRE	344 ± 25	351 ± 17	348 ± 21
POST	356 ± 15	545 ± 14a,b	579 ± 20a,b,c

• ^a
  Statistical significance compared to PRE (p≤0.05); ^bStatistical significance compared to GC (p≤0.05); ^cStatistical significance compared to GF1 (p≤0.05).

Training effect on Rn morphology

Qualitative analysis showed that GF1 and GF2 presented greater post-training perimeter than GC (Figure 3). All quantitative group comparison are presented in Figure 4.

Figure 3
Photomicrographs of the radial nerve histological sections from animals in the control group (A) GF1 (B) and GF2 (C) groups stained with toluidine blue and with the same increase obtained. The nerve of GF2 group (C) shows increased thickness in GF2 (C) group compared to CG (A) and GF1 (B).

Figure 4
Electronic photomicrographs of the Radial nerve of animals from GC (a), GF1 (b) and GF2 (c) cross-sections, showing unmyelinated (arrows) myelinated fibers (M), and nucleus of Schwann cells (S). Bar: 1 µm.

The average axon areas (mean ± SD) were 1.1 ± 0.2 µm², 1.3 ± 0.2 µm² and 2.1 ± 0.1 µm² for GC, GF1 and GF2, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that GF2 promoted a significant 90% increase compared to GC (p ≤0.05). Axon area of GF1 was 18% greater than GC, although not significant (Figure 5A). Average diameter of myelinated axons was 1.18 ± 0.2 µm (GC), 1.2 ± 0.2 µm (GF1) and 1.8 ± 0.1 µm (GF2). GF2 were statically larger than GC (p≤0.05).

Figure 5
Data representing the mean area of axons (A), myelin sheath (B), myelinated axons (C), and the mean number of Schwann cells (D), neurofilamentos (E) and microtubules (F) per field of the Radial nerve in the control (CG) and trained (GF1 and GF2) groups. *Significant vs. GC and GF1 (p≤0.05).

Average myelin sheath areas were 1.2 ± 0.2 µm², 1.5 ± 0.3 µm² and 2.8 ± 0.1 µm² for GC, GF1 and GF2, respectively. GF2 promoted a significant 133% increase in myelin sheath area compared to GC (p ≤0.05). Average area of myelin sheath was 25% greater in GF1 than GC, however, not significant (Figure 5B). The average thickness of the myelin sheath was 0.4 ± 0.02 µm (GC), 0.42 ± 0.03 µm (GF1) and 0.5 ± 0.01 µm (GF2). GF2 increased mean myelin sheath thickness compared to GC (p≤0.05).

The mean area of myelinated fibers were 3.1 ± 0.1 µm², 3.6 ± 0.2 µm² and 4.5 ± 0.2 µm² for GC, GF1 and GF2, respectively (Figure 5C). GF2 increased average area of myelinated fiber by 45% compared to GC (p ≤0.05). As for the morphometric analysis, the mean diameter of the myelinated fibers was 1.98 ± 0.1 µm (GC), 2.05 ± 0.2 µm (GF1) and 2.8 ± 0.2 µm (GF2). Yet, GF2 was larger than GC (p≤0.05).

The average number of Schwann cells per unit area of 64 µm² was used to calculate the total number of Schwann cells. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the values ​​of the GF2 (58 cells/field) and GF1 (38 cells/field) and between the GF2 and GC (37 cells/field) (in both cases, p ≤0.05). There was no significant difference between GF1 and GC (Figure 5D).

The average number of neurofilaments per field was 180 ± 25, 190 ± 20 and 390 ± 30 for GC, GF1 e GF2, respectively (Figure 5E). GF2 promoted significant 100% increase compared to GC (p≤0.05).

The average number of microtubules were 550 ± 150 (GC), 580 ± 110 (GF1) and 1300 ± 160 (GF2). GF2 showed a 136% increase compared to GC (p≤0.05) (Figure 5F).

DISCUSSION

The main results of this study were; 1) Both training intensities (50% and 75% BW) significantly increased muscle strength resistance capacity and 2) Only GF2 (75% BW) showed significant Rn morphological adaptations. Further, to our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate different morphological adaptation on peripheral nerve in face of different training load percentages.

Generally, neural factors play an important role in muscle strength gains. A positive association between the magnitude of efferent neural impulses activation and muscular strength has been demonstrated¹⁵. Corroborating our findings, many studies presented data about strength gains through different training intensities. Macedo et al.¹⁶ showed significant muscular strength increases using only 60% of the rodent maximum voluntary carrying load capacity. Recently, Deus et al.¹⁷ tested two protocols: low (animal body weight) versus moderate-high (75% B.W to muscle fatigue) training loads. As expected, the author has demonstrated greater carrying capacity through heavier training load. However, a significant and non-expected load (175%) increase was shown in the low-intensity training group. Clearly, these studies stand the evidence that strength gains might be seen easily during the first weeks of rehabilitation/training. In addition, laboratory rats are often kept in limited size boxes. As consequence, they may have little movement possibilities around environments like this. Therefore, training initiation could explain strength gains in GF1.

Perhaps not expected, the simple action of climbing movement might be enough to induce strength increases. Additionally, many evidence might explain our strength gain findings: 1) increased motor unit recruitment and synchronization; 2) increased motor coordination; 3) increased transmission velocity; 4) increased agonist muscle action and decreased antagonist muscle opposition; 5) increased primary motor muscles electromyography (EMG) activity; 6) increased motor cortex drive; and others^18-21.

The Rn is one of the major peripheral nerves of the upper limb, both for it broad area of innervation, either by movements related to it. Peripheral nerves are composed of fibers arranged in fascicles. Therein can be identified myelinated and unmyelinated axons, capillaries, Schwann cell nuclei, interstitial space and other. In transverse sections, the myelinated fibers are of varying sizes. Unmyelinated nerve fibers appeared as a group of small fibers surrounding a Schwann cell. In our study, only GF2 group presented significant morphometric changes as: increased mean axon and myelinated fiber area and diameter, and myelin sheath area and thickness. According to Kanda and Hashizume², peripheral nerves can adapt to increased or decreased activity. Literature rises the evidence of several types of exercise training effects on nerve adaptability. However, data on RT effect on nerve morphology is absent. Teodori et al.²² showed enlargement of axon and nerve fiber diameter after only 30 days of swimming training, which demonstrated that beginning exercise just after Sciatic nerve injury stimulated nerve repair. On the other hand, Ilha et al.²³ demonstrated that RT and ET must present different effects on motor function and nerve regeneration. Recently, Cassilhas et al.²⁴ investigated the effect of RT and ET on spatial memory and central nervous system signaling pathways. After training, both RT and ET groups showed similar learning and spatial memory improvement. Inversely, both groups presented distinct signaling pathways. RT group increased hippocampal and peripheral insulin like growth factor type 1 (IGF-1) and hippocampal Akt, while ET increased IGF-1, Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tyrosine kinase receptor type B (TrkB) and calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (β-CaMKII). Yarrow et al.²⁵ showed that BDNF might be involved in peripheral nerve plasticity. Wilhelm et al.⁴ postulated that exercise might rule the cooperative action between BDNF and Schwann cells. In these work, the lack of BDNF action did markedly reduced nerve regeneration even in the presence of exercise. Exercise was also found to stimulate peripheral nerve plasticity by activation of Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK) mediated Schwann cell proliferation, Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) gene and lipid peroxidation^5,26. Unfortunately, all these mechanisms were studied through ET and swimming exercises and perhaps not RT. These cellular and molecular approach was chosen just to add deeply and more robust information to our data as we researched only morphological adaptation.

Each myelinated axon contains numerous neurofilaments and microtubules dispersed in its cytoplasm. Microtubules and neurofilaments are of fundamental importance for the function of the nerves as participates in the processes of plasticity, transport and cell signaling^27,28. Yet, it determines the caliber, growth pattern, and encourages basic machinery required for both anterograde and retrograde axoplasmic transport²⁹. The proteins that make up the neurofilaments are synthesized in the neuron cell body and transported in the axon³⁰. Defects in this transport leads to the accumulation of neurofilaments in the cell body and axon, which interferes with the transport of other substances to the distal part of the axon. The present study showed that RT with higher load (75%BW) increased the density of microtubules and neurofilaments in myelinated axons of the Rn. Although the physical training has increased the neurofilament values, this increase was expected. We do not think that this increase would cause defect in the transport of proteins by the axon. Meanwhile, we did not measure postulated scene. Adaptation of intra cellular proteins seemed to follow the increase in the diameter of the nerve fibers. This result is consistent with Ferreira et al.³¹ who observed that training increased the amount of neurofilament in central nervous axon of rats. The increased density of neurofilaments in GF2 group is consistent with the increase in the area and diameters of myelinated axons observed in this group, since neurofilaments are considered determinants of axon caliber. It is worth mentioning again that although there were morphometric differences in neural adaptations between GF2 and GF1, no such differences in strength gains were noted.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that nerve of the upper limb might adapt in face of resistance training. However, this data was intensity-dependent. This suggests that training and/or rehabilitation centers should take into consideration that the magnitude of the load induces a greater increase in muscle strength and only moderate-intense loadings alter the morphological structure of peripheral nerves. Furthermore, after beginning with lighter weights the training/rehabilitation progression with heavier load might be important to induce a more robust adaptation.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  Jan-Feb 2017

History

• Received
  18 Dec 2015
• Accepted
  17 Oct 2016