Alteration to the levels of galanin in uninjured contralateral rat saphenous nerves after unilateral saphenous nerve section

Previous work in this laboratory has demonstrated that unilateral injury to the rat saphenous nerve decreases levels of substance P in the uninjured contralateral saphenous nerve during the subsequent regenerative period. Furthermore this contralateral nerve also has a decreased ability to elicit a neurogenic inflammatory response. In this present study the levels of galanin were investigated under similar experimental conditions. Levels of this peptide were found to be significantly decreased in the uninjured contralateral nerve. No significant changes in the total protein level of these nerves was found as compared to the control uninjured animals. The implications of this, in the context of the other contralateral changes found after peripheral nerve injury, are discussed.