Muscle reinnervation and IGF-I synthesis are affected by exposure to heparin: an effect partially antagonized by anti-growth hormone-releasing hormone

Sciatic nerve crush was performed in 2-day-old rats, then reinnervation of the extensor digitorum longus muscle, motor neuron survival, and muscle IGF-I production were monitored. In saline-treated rats, the extent of reinnervation was around 50% and the number of EDL reinnervating motor neurons was significantly reduced. In heparin-treated rats the extent of muscle reinnervation, the recovery of nerve-evoked muscle twitch tension, and the number of motor neurons reinnervating the extensor digitorum longus muscle were greatly enhanced compared to saline-treated rats. In addition, treatment with heparin increased markedly insulin-like growth factor-I levels in denervated muscles. The concomitant exposure to anti-growth hormone releasing hormone partially abolished the stimulatory action of heparin on muscle reinnervation and prevented the increase of insulin-like growth factor-I muscle levels.