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Growth hormone treatment enhances the functional recovery of sciatic nerves after transection and repair
Author(s) -
Devesa Pablo,
Gelabert Miguel,
GonźlezMosquera Tamara,
Gallego Rosalía,
Luis Relova JosÉ,
Devesa Jesús,
Arce Víctor M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.22303
Subject(s) - sciatic nerve , medicine , regeneration (biology) , compound muscle action potential , lesion , saline , peripheral nervous system , hindlimb , endocrinology , anesthesia , anatomy , surgery , central nervous system , electrophysiology , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
Although nerves can spontaneously regenerate in the peripheral nervous system without treatment, functional recovery is generally poor, and thus there is a need for strategies to improve nerve regeneration. Methods: The left sciatic nerve of adult rats was transected and immediately repaired by epineurial sutures. Rats were then assigned to one of two experimental groups treated with either growth hormone (GH) or saline for 8 weeks. Sciatic nerve regeneration was estimated by histological evaluation, nerve conduction tests, and rotarod and treadmill performance. Results: GH‐treated rats showed increased cellularity at the lesion site together with more abundant immunoreactive axons and Schwann cells. Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude was also higher in these animals, and CMAP latency was significantly lower. Treadmill performance increased in rats receiving GH. Conclusion: GH enhanced the functional recovery of the damaged nerves, thus supporting the use of GH treatment, alone or combined with other therapeutic approaches, in promoting nerve repair. Muscle Nerve, 2012