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Erythropoietin accelerates functional recovery after moderate sciatic nerve crush injury
Author(s) -
Geary Michael B.,
Li Haiyan,
Zingman Alissa,
Ketz John,
Zuscik Michael,
Mesy Bentley Karen L.,
Noble Mark,
Elfar John C.
Publication year - 2017
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.25459
Subject(s) - crush injury , medicine , erythropoietin , sciatic nerve , crush syndrome , nerve injury , myelin , pathology , anesthesia , surgery , central nervous system
Erythropoietin (EPO) has been identified as a neuroregenerative agent. We hypothesize that it may accelerate recovery after crush injury and may vary with crush severity. Methods Mice were randomized to mild, moderate, or severe crush of the sciatic nerve and were treated with EPO or vehicle control after injury. The sciatic function index (SFI) was monitored over the first week. Microstructural changes were analyzed by immunofluorescence for neurofilament (NF) and myelin (P 0 ), and electron microscopy was used to assess ultrastructural changes. Results In moderate crush injuries, EPO significantly improved SFI at 7 days post‐injury, an effect not observed with other severity levels. Increases in the ratio of P 0 to NF were observed after EPO treatment in moderate crush injuries. Electron microscopy demonstrated endothelial cell hypertrophy in the EPO group. Conclusions EPO accelerates recovery in moderately crushed nerves, which may be through effects on myelination and vascularization. Injury severity may influence the efficacy of EPO. Muscle Nerve 56 : 143–151, 2017.