Fig. 3

Average diameter and axon number significantly increased in the vein with muscle group. Micrographs of the transverse semi-thin sections of the distal segment of the sciatic nerve (a, b, c) and L4-L6 lumbar spinal neuron (d, e, f). Thick and intact myelin axons (arrow, a) with healthy multipolar neuron (d) are seen in the sham group. Myelinated axons in different diameter (b) with swollen of nucleus without nucleoli (e) are seen in the vein with muscle graft group. Axons are much thinner (arrow, c), degenerating nerve fibers (double arrow, c) peripheral displacement of the nucleus, disappearance of the nucleolus and loss of nissl body are seen (f) in the muscle group. *p < 0.001 compared to the vein with muscle and the muscle groups (g, h). *p < 0.05 compared to the muscle group (g, h). All images were stained with methylene blue; Scale Bar: A, B and C, 15 μm; D, E and F, 25 μm, n = 6