Endoneurial oxygen tension and radial topography in nerve edema.

Endoneurial edema occurs in numerous human and experimental neuropathies. We tested the hypothesis that the resultant increase in intercapillary distance (ICD) may result in endoneurial hypoxia. Experimental galactose neuropathy (EGN) was chosen since in this model, edema is due to the accumulation of galactitol, which does not directly damage nerve fibers, so that it was possible to study the role of endoneurial edema alone. We measured endoneurial oxygen tensions (PnO2) using oxygen-sensitive microelectrodes and related PnO2 radial topography to ICD. We also determined local oxygen consumption (VLO2) and critical PnO2(PcritO2). EGN and age-matched controls were studied at 4 months. (1) Caudal nerve conduction velocity was reduced in EGN. (2) The PnO2 values were reduced in EGN and the PnO2 histogram was shifted into the hypoxic range. These changes were paralleled by a significant increase in ICD in EGN. (3) The radial topography of PnO2 in EGN differed from the relatively uniform distribution in control nerves. In EGN the subperineurial PnO2 was significantly lower than the PnO2 at the center of the fascicle. These changes were paralleled by a significantly greater increase in ICD in the periphery. (4) That the PnO2 reduction in EGN was significant is suggested by the marked reduction in VLO2 and the large percentage (greater than 75%) of intrafascicular regions that fell below PcritO2 in EGN.