In an attempt to elucidate the effect of chromium on the sciatic nerve of mouse,
light and electron microscopic studies were performed to examine the fine structures
of sciatic nerve of mouse after administration of chromium trioxide(Cr´s´).
Mice were received 200 mg/e of chromium trioxide solution ad libitum, and were
sacrificed after administration of chromium trioxide for 4 and 8 weeks. The results were summarized as follows:
1. The diameters of the nerve fibers were 6.26 pm and 6.81 pm in chromium-treated groups for 4 and 8 weeks, respectively, compared to the diameters of control group (6.98 pm).
2. In chromium treated groups for 4 and 8 weeks, the diameters of the axons were 4.65pm and 5.07 pm, compared to the control group (5.77 pm).
3. The thickness of the myelin sheaths were 1.21 pm in control group, but 1.61 pm and L74pm in 4 and 8 (P<0.05) weeks groups, respectively.
4. The ratio g(d/D) was 0.82 in control group, and 0.74 both in chromium treated-groups (P<0.01).
5. The number of nerve fibers per unit area were 211 in control group, and 208 and 188 (P<0.01) in chromium treated-groups.
6. Electron microscopic findings revealed that the degenerative changes of the myelin sheath that were more severe than those of axon in . The sciatic nerve.
From these results, it suggests that chromium trioxide may induce dysfunction by degenerative changes of the sciatic nerve.
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