Alpha-lipoic acid loaded in chitosan conduit enhances sciatic nerve regeneration in rat

Objective(s): To investigate the effect of topical administration of alpha-lipoic acid into chitosan conduit on peripheral nerve regeneration using a rat sciatic nerve transection model. Materials and Methods: Forty five Wistar rats were divided into three experimental groups randomly. A ۱۰-mm gap of sciatic nerve was bridged with a chitosan conduit following surgical preparation and anesthesia. In treatment group, the conduit was filled with ۳۰ µl alpha-lipoic acid (۱۰ mg/kg/bw).It was filled with ۳۰ µl phosphate buffered saline solution in control group. In Sham group sciatic nerve was just exposed. Results: The recovery of nerve function was faster in treatment group than in control, at ۴ and ۸ weeks after surgery (P-value<۰.۰۵). Conduction velocity was better in treatment group than in control group at ۴ and ۱۲ weeks (P-value<۰.۰۵). Recovery index was higher in treatment group than the control group, ۸ weeks after surgery (P-value <۰.۰۵). Greater nerve fiber diameter, axon diameter, and myelin sheath thickness were observed in treatment group compared to control group at ۸ and ۱۲ weeks after surgery (P-value<۰.۰۵). The immunoreactivity of regenerated axons and myelin sheath in treatment group were far more similar to sham group. Conclusion: Alpha-lipoic acid when loaded in a chitosan conduit could improve transected sciatic nerve regeneration in rat.

کلیدواژه ها:

Alpha-lipoic acid ، Chitosan conduit ، Rat ، Sciatic nerve regeneration