摘要Previous studies have demonstrated that the cholinergic system,via nicotinic receptors,regulates intracellular free calcium levels in the facial nucleus under normal physiological conditions.However,the regulation of nicotinic receptors on free calcium levels following facial nerve injury remains unclear.In the present study,an animal model of facial nerve injury was established,and changes in nicotinic receptor expression following facial nerve injury in rats were detected using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.Nicotinic receptor-mediated changes of free calcium levels following facial nucleus injury were determined by laser confocal microscopy.Results showed no significant difference in nicotinic receptor expression between the normal group and the affected facial nerve nucleus.The nicotinic receptor α4β2 subtype increased free calcium levels following facial nerve injury by promoting calcium transmembrane influx,and L-type voltage-gated calcium channel-mediated influx of calcium ions played an important role in promoting calcium transmembrane influx.The nicotinic receptor-mediated increase of free calcium levels following facial nerve injury provides an important mechanism for the repair of facial nerve injury.