RESUMO
Mouse sciatic nerves were subjected to devascularization, M. leprae inoculation, and combined insult of devascularization + footpad inoculation (FPI). Changes were seen in FPI nerves only after eight months, but in cases of combined insult, changes were evident in hours. Both the groups showed initial loss of small myelinated fibres. No proliferation of Schwann cells was in FPI nerves, but in combined insult it was maximum after two weeks. Presence of M. leprae seems to be arresting Schwann cell activity after two weeks. Blood vessels showed increased endothelial cell cytoplasm, basement membrane proliferation and villi formation. These changes seem to be specific of endoneurial blood vessels of leprosy nerves. Increased number of mast cells seems to be specific of devascularized and FPI nerves. Increased number of macrophages expressed low immunity of devascularized nerves. Eosinophils migrated to endoneurium as a result of leakage of axoplasm.