Turkish Neurosurgery
Effect of Tarantula cubensis extract (Theranekron) on peripheral nerve healing in an experimental sciatic nerve injury model in rats
Zahir Kizilay1, Serdar Aktas 2, Nesibe Kahraman Cetin3, Mahmut Alp Kilic4, Hakan Ozturk5
1 University of Adnan Menderes School of Medicine , neurosurgery, Aydin,
2University of Adnan Menderes School of Medicine , Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Aydin,
3University of Adnan Menderes School of Medicine , Pathology Department, Aydin,
4University of Adnan Menderes School of Medicine , Biophysics Department, Aydin,
5University of Adnan Menderes School of Medicine , Biostatistic Department, Aydin,
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.26162-19.2
Aim:To investigate the effects of systemic application of Theranekron on peripheral nerve healing after compression type peripheral nerve injury. Material and Methods:Twenty-one female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=7): Control (C), injury (I), and Theranekron (T). The right sciatic nerves of rats in the I and T groups were compressed via an aneurysm clip for 5 minutes and 0.3 ml Theranekron D6 was applied via subcutaneous administration once a week in the T group for a total period of four weeks. Nerve conduction velocity and proximal and distal latency of the rats were measured at the end of day 30. The right sciatic nerves of the rats were then removed and myelin damage grading, axon counting, fibrosis assessment, caspase-3, and NF-kB immunochemical staining were performed. The data were analysed and a p value of less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results:Axonal degeneration, vacuolization and myelin destruction were found to be markedly greater in group T. Fibrosis and caspase-3 immunoreactivity were less intense in group T. There was a statistically significant difference in the electrophysiological results of groups I and T. However, there were no statistically significant differences in axon number and NF-kB immunochemical evaluation of groups I and T.Conclusion:The findings of this study show that Theranekron decreases axonal and myelin damage after sciatic nerve injury and that this neuroprotective effect of Theranekron can be attributed to its anti-inflammatory effect on pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.
Corresponding author : Zahir Kizilay