Effects of neuronotrophic factors on adrenal medulla grafts implanted into adult rat brains

Abstract

The effects of neuronotrophic factors (NFs) on adult adrenal medulla grafts transplanted into the rat caudate nucleus after the destruction of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathways were investigated. Two months after implantation, all of the adrenal medulla grafts treated with NFs, but only 45% of the untreated grafts, had survived. The levels of tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the caudate nucleus however, were not significantly different between the sham-operated control and either NF-treated or untreated grafted groups. These results indicate that treatment with NFs significantly enhances the survival rate of the grafts.