Third-degree hindpaw burn injury induced apoptosis of lumbar spinal cord ventral horn motor neurons and sciatic nerve and muscle atrophy in rats.

Local hindpaw burn induces apoptosis in VHMNs and Schwann cells in sciatic nerve, which causes corresponding gastrocnemius muscle denervation atrophy. Our results provided an animal model to evaluate burn-induced muscle wasting, and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.