Dexmedetomidine to Help Nerve Regeneration in a Rat Sciatic Nerve Injury Model

Abstract

Background Several studies have shown that dexmedetomidine (DXM), a selective α2-adrenoceptor agonist, also has neuroprotective effects. However, its effect on impaired peripheral nerve regeneration has not been studied. Materials and Methods Forty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups: group 1 (control SHAM), group 2 (sciatic nerve injury + normal saline), and group 3 (sciatic nerve injury + DXM). The rats of group 3 were subdivided into the following three groups: DXM 0.5, 6, and 20 μg·kg−1 (groups 3A, 3B, and 3C, resp.). The sciatic nerve injury was assessed for nerve regeneration at 2 and 6 weeks. Results There were no differences between groups 2 and 3 in their sciatic functional index (SFI) values or histological findings at 2 weeks postinjury. However, SFI differences were statistically significant at 6 weeks postinjury in group 3. The gross findings with H&E staining showed that the number of axons was higher in group 3 than in group 2. There was no histological difference according to the DXM concentration. Conclusion The coincidental functional and histological assessment results of this study suggest that DXM for 6 weeks positively affects damaged peripheral nerves.

Dexmedetomidine Ameliorates the Neurotoxicity of Sevoflurane on the Immature Brain Through the BMP/SMAD Signaling Pathway

“…In addition, Dex protected cerebral against hypoxic-ischaemic damage by elevating microRNA-140-5p via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (Han et al, 2018). A recent study reported that Dex could help to axon regeneration in a rat sciatic nerve injury model (Jeong et al, 2017). Nevertheless, the effect of Dex on immature brain remains uncertain.…”

Adipose‐derived stem cells delay muscle atrophy after peripheral nerve injury in the rodent model

“…A single operator performed all procedures to minimize surgical and injection rate variability. All animals were euthanized via CO 2 asphyxiation followed by cervical dislocation 6 weeks postoperatively, a timepoint used in several studies to evaluate nerve regeneration both functionally and histologically . Gastrocnemius muscles harvested from both the operated (right) and non‐operated (left) hindlimbs of all rats after euthanasia were imaged (Nikon D3400 digital camera) and weighed.…”

“…All animals were euthanized via CO 2 asphyxiation followed by cervical dislocation 6 weeks postoperatively, a timepoint used in several studies to evaluate nerve regeneration both functionally and histologically. [22][23][24] Gastrocnemius muscles harvested from both the operated (right) and non-operated (left) hindlimbs of all rats after euthanasia were imaged (Nikon D3400 digital camera) and weighed. Denervated muscles were normalized against their non-operated contralateral counterparts.…”

The advances in nerve tissue engineering: From fabrication of nerve conduit toin vivonerve regeneration assays

“…In order to create a crush, the sciatic nerves are subjected to the mechanical consistent compression using a pair of sterile Watchmaker's forceps for 30 (Wood et al, ) and 15 s (Ramli, Aziz, Mohamad, Abdulahi, & Sanusi, ), or clamping by 100‐gf microclamp for 10 s (Hong et al, ), and using a curved Kelly hemostatic clamp for 30 s with a clamping force of approximately 40 N before its bifurcation (Jeong et al, ).…”