Distribution of NT-3 mRNA and BDNF mRNA expression in the tissues involved in circuitry of the H-reflex and their changes caused by continuous bursts of low-threshold, unilateral stimulation of the tibial nerve.

<p><b>A.</b> Relative expression of transcripts in the control group. In the tibial nerve (shaded grey bars), mRNA expression was evaluated by means of high-fidelity reverse transcriptase and random hexamers as primers. The tibial nerve segment enwrapped in the cuff-electrode was analyzed. <b>B.</b> The changes of NT-3 and BDNF level in the spinal cord segments, soleus muscle and tibial nerve after low-threshold stimulation of the tibial nerve. NT-3 mRNA expression tended to increase in the caudal lumbar segments of the spinal cord and the effect was bilateral, similarly as that of BDNF mRNA. In the soleus muscle NT-3 mRNA and BDNF mRNA level decreased comparing to control level. NT-3 mRNA expression in the tibial nerve increased after stimulation but that of BDNF mRNA tended to decrease. Asterisks indicate statistically significant effects (***P<0.001; **P<0.01; *P<0.05, Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests).