EFFECTS OF NERVE GROWTH-FACTOR ON ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY OF THE PROXIMAL STUMP OF THE TRANSECTED SCIATIC-NERVE

28 rats were studied. They were divided into four groups of 7 rats of each: one-day control animals (Group A), seven-day control animals (Gr oup B), one-day nerve growth factor (NGF)-treated animals (Group C) an d seven-day NGF-treated animals (Group D). In all animals, the right s ciatic nerve was explored and completely transected using micro-scisso rs under a microscope. In NGF-treated animals, NGF (0.1 mg/kg NGF) was injected subcutaneously. In control animals. there was a statisticall y significant decrease in AChE activity in the proximal stump of the t ransected sciatic nerve at 7-day measurements (p < 0.05). In the NGF-t reated groups, mean AChE activity in the proximal stump of the transec ted sciatic nerve was decreased at the 7-day measurement. AChE activit y difference between control and NGF-treated groups. measured on the 7 th day, are statistically significant (p < 0.01). These results demons trate the effect of NGF on the cholinergic system.