Mv. Sanchezvives et R. Gallego, EFFECTS OF AXOTOMY OR TARGET ATROPHY ON MEMBRANE-PROPERTIES OF RAT SYMPATHETIC-GANGLION CELLS, Journal of physiology, 471, 1993, pp. 801-815
1. The electrical properties of rat superior cervical ganglion cells w
ere examined in vitro with intracellular microelectrodes after axotomy
or atrophy of the submandibular salivary gland. 2. Membrane time cons
tant, input resistanee and excitatory synaptic potentials (EPSPs) were
decreased to about 50 % of their control values 7-10 days after axoto
my. 3. Axotomized ganglion cells also showed reduced action potentials
and after-hyperpolarizations (AHPs). The AHP duration was reduced to
40 % of the control value. 4. In 25 % of the axotomized cells, the act
ion potential was followed by an after-depolarization (ADP) instead of
the AHP that was always present in control cells. In eleven out of se
venteen axotomized cells with ADP, preganglionic stimulation failed to
evoke an EPSP, whereas the failure of the synaptic response was never
observed in control cells and occurred only in two of fifty-three axo
tomized cells with AHP. 5. In some axotomized cells with AHP, a depola
rizing potential developed after a train of action potentials. This wa
s never observed in control cells. 6. Sympathetic neurones innervating
the submandibular gland in control animals had membrane properties si
milar to those observed in other ganglion cells. 7. The properties of
neurones innervating the submandibular gland remained unaltered after
the experimentally induced atrophy of the gland. 8. It is concluded th
at the marked effects of short-term axotomy on membrane properties of
sympathetic ganglion cells are not reproduced by long-term atrophy of
the target tissue.