It is well known that the peripheral nervous system has a good potential for regeneration. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of vitamin B therapy (with a complex of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B12) on motor nerve recovery after femoral nerve injury. Our study was conducted on an experimental animal model of femoral nerve injury in rats. All animals used in the experiment were subjected to the same set of analyses. A behavior test was used for the assessment of motor function recovery. Body weight was measured and electromyography was performed in order to assess recovery of quadriceps muscle. Samples of muscles and nerves were used for counting nuclei and determining nuclear density. The results of this study showed enhanced functional recovery, including improved walking, a decreased level of muscle atrophy and better electromyography recovery after administration of vitamin B complex. Further, after 14 days of treatment with the vitamin B complex nuclear nerve and muscle density was significantly lowered. In conclusion, using a model of femoral nerve injury we demonstrated that the application of vitamin B complex improved recovery of motor nerve in rats. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 175033]

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24Background: Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal mushroom exhibiting numerous health 25 benefits primarily based on strong immunostimulatory effects. The aim of the study was 26 to investigate if there were differences in effects of extracts of commercially (GC) and 27 alternatively (wheat straw) (GA) cultivated G. lucidum basidiocarps on properties of 28 peritoneal macrophages (PM) and monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs). 29 Methods: Differences in immunomodulatory effects of GC/GA extracts were studied. 30 Viability of treated PMs, their adhesive and phagocytic capability and capacity to produce 31 reactive oxigen species (ROS) and NO was tested. Immature MoDCs generated from 32 human monocytes were treated with poly I:C (10.0 µg/ml) and loxoribine (34.0 µg/ml), a 33 selective TLR3 and TLR7 agonists, respectively, and with/without GC/GA extract (100.0 34 µg/ml). The effect of each combination on phenotypic properties, cytokines production by 35 MoDCs, and their proliferation and Th polarizing capacity was studied. 36 Results: GA extract stronger stimulated metabolic and phagocytic activity of PMs, their 37 adhesion capability and ability to produce ROS and NO compared to GC. Both tested 38 extracts significantly increased allostimulatory and Th1 polarization capacity of 39 simultaneous TLR3 and TLR7-activated MoDCs, but GA extract was more effective. 40 Discussion: The extract of alternatively cultivated G. lucidum basidiocarps increased 41 production of ROS and NO by TLR4 stimulated PMs and up-regulated production of 42 certain cytokines as well as allostimulatory and Th1 polarization capacity of MoDCs. GA 43 extract could be a potent immunostimulatory agent for activation of MoDCs with 44 simultaneous engagement of TLRs that seems to be a promising strategy for preparation 45 of DC-based anti-tumor vaccines. 46 47