Nimodipine and Acceleration of Functional Recovery of the Facial Nerve After Crush Injury

Abstract

Objective To establish whether nimodipine, a calcium channel blocker, accelerates or otherwise improves functional recovery of whisking after facial nerve crush injury in the rat. Methods Thirty rats underwent exposure of the left main trunk of the facial nerve followed by a standard crush injury, and subsequent quantitative facial movement testing. Animals were randomized into an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15 each). Four days prior to facial nerve manipulation, experimental animals underwent subcutaneous implantation of a nimodipine-secreting pellet. All animals were tested pre-operatively and on post-crush days 2, 8–17, 20, 22, 24, and 31, using a validated, quantitative whisking kinematics apparatus. Whisks were analyzed for amplitude, velocity, and acceleration. Results Animals receiving nimodipine demonstrated significantly better whisking on days 9, 11–13, and 20 compared with control animals (p<.05). Overall, the nimodipine-treated animals showed earlier recovery as compared to the untreated animals. Conclusions We demonstrate that nimodipine improves recovery of whisking after facial nerve crush. This finding corroborates the semi-quantitative findings of others, and provides complete whisking kinematic data on its effects. Given the low side effect profile of nimodipine, there may be clinical implications in its administration in patients experiencing facial nerve injury.

Prophylactic nimodipine treatment for cochlear and facial nerve preservation after vestibular schwannoma surgery: a randomized multicenter Phase III trial

“…The beneficial effect of nimodipine treatment for the protection and regeneration of the facial and cochlear nerves is supported by animal experiments 1,6,8,9,[12][13][14][15] and clinical trials in VS surgery. 2,20,21,24,25 Furthermore, these positive results were also observed in laryngeal 8,14 and maxillofacial surgery 23 and may therefore be transferable to other surgical procedures with nerves at risk.…”

“…Although Voluven 6% is approved by the FDA and no adverse events related to HES (especially renal toxicity) were observed in the present study, the neuroprotective effect of HES is questionable, taking into consideration that animal experiments and clinical trials using nimodipine alone showed evidence of comparable neuroprotective efficacy. 1,6,8,9,[12][13][14][15]23 From a pharmacokinetic point of view, parenteral ni- modipine produces higher drug levels and has a higher neuroprotective efficacy compared with enteral administration. 22 Therefore, a central venous access is needed.…”

Effect of Local Administration of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels Blocker (Gallopamil) Combined with Silicon Conduit on Transected Sciatic Nerve

“…In addition to this activity in the central nervous system, they have been shown promise in multiple rodent models as a possible pharmacologic treatment for facial nerve injury [6][7][8][9][10]. To the best knowledge of the authors, the literature is poor regarding the beneficial local effects of gallopamil (a calcium channel blocker) on transected sciatic nerve.…”

Local Administration of Nimodipine and Improvement of Functional Recovery of the Transected Sciatic Nerve after Bridging with Inside-out Artery Graft

“…Nimodipine, a calcium channel blocker, is a US Food and Drug Administration approved drug used to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with delayed ischemic deficits in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. In addition to its activity in the central nervous system, nimodipine has shown promise in multiple rodent models as a possible pharmacologic treatment for facial nerve injury (Angelov et al, 1996;Mattsson et al, 1999;Mattsson et al, 2001;Lindsay et al, 2010). To the best knowledge of the authors, the literature is poor regarding the beneficial local effects of nimodipine on transected sciatic nerve.…”