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Pharmacological enhancement of peripheral nerve regeneration in the rat by systemic acetyl-L-carnitine treatment
McKay Hart A, Wiberg M, Terenghi G
Neurosci Lett. 2002;334, 3:181-5.
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Abstract
Peripheral nerve trauma remains a major cause of morbidity, largely due to the death of approximately 40% of innervating sensory neurons, and to slow regeneration after repair. Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) is a physiological peptide that virtually eliminates sensory neuronal death, and may improve regeneration after primary nerve repair. This study determines the effect of ALCAR upon regeneration after secondary nerve repair, thereby isolating its effect upon neuronal regenerative capacity. Two months after unilateral sciatic nerve division 1 cm nerve graft repairs were performed (n=5), and treatment with 50 mg/kg/day ALCAR was commenced for 6 weeks until harvest. Regeneration area and distance were determined by quantitative immunohistochemistry. ALCAR treatment significant increased immunostaining for both nerve fibres (total area 264% increase, P<0.001; percentage area 229% increase, P<0.001), and Schwann cells (total area 111% increase, P<0.05; percentage area 86% increase, P<0.05), when compared to no treatment. Regeneration into the distal stump was greatly enhanced (total area 2,242% increase, P=0.008; percentage area 3,034% increase, P=0.008). ALCAR significantly enhances the regenerative capacity of neurons that survive peripheral nerve trauma, in addition to its known neuroprotective effects.
Keyword(s)
Acetylcarnitine/*pharmacology; Animals; Axons/drug effects; Axotomy; Cell Count; Comparative Study; Disease Models, Animal; Immunochemistry; Male; Nerve Regeneration/*drug effects; Neurofilament Proteins/diagnostic use/drug effects/metabolism; Nootropic Agents/*pharmacology; Peripheral Nerves/*drug effects/growth & development/injuries; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; S100 Proteins/diagnostic use/drug effects/metabolism; Sciatic Nerve/*drug effects/growth & development/injuries; Time Factors
Bibliographic metadata
- 0304-3940Journal Article