Research Article

Lithium Enhances Axonal Regeneration in Peripheral Nerve by Inhibiting Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β Activation

Figure 3

Effects of lithium treatment and ventral root reimplantation (VRI) on the survival of host motoneurons as revealed by neutral red staining 6 weeks after root avulsion. (A) Normal animals. (B) Animals receiving root avulsion only. (C) Animals receiving ventral root reimplantation (VRI) plus saline injection. (D) Animals receiving ventral root reimplantation (VRI) plus lithium treatment. (E) VRI significantly increased the survival rate of motoneurons compared to controls (* compared to root avulsion only). Lithium treatment did not further increase the motoneuron survival after VRI. There were no statistically significant differences in the survival rate of motoneurons between saline- and lithium-treated animals. Scale bar: 150 μm.
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