Turkish Neurosurgery
Alpha-Tocopherol And Cyanocobalamin Combination Accelerates Peripheral Nerve Healing: An Experimental Animal Study
Cem Albay1, Asli Kahraman Akkalp2
1Baltalimanı Bone Diseases Research and Training Hospital, Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Istanbul,
2Katip Celebi University, Pathology, Izmir,
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.30784-20.3

Aim:Various supplementations, such as vitamins, were used in medication of peripheral nerve injury (PNI). There is very limited data regarding chain-breaking antioxidant alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E). Aim of this study was to evaluate functional and histopathological results of vitamins E and B12 on experimental rat nerve injury model.Material and Methods:This research included 32 Wistar Hannover rats. Sciatic nerves were crushed using an aneurysm clamp. Rats were divided into 4 groups, as group 0 (controls; no treatment), and groups B12, E, and B12+E. Rats were analyzed functionally, using sciatic functional index (SFI), and histopathologically.Results:In functional analysis, it was determined that E was as influential as B12. Concomitant use of 2 vitamins was found to be more beneficial. SFI was significantly higher in B12+E group than B12 group, which indicated that E improved healing effects of B12. In histopathological evaluation, E was not effective in axonal degeneration (AxD) or edema/inflammation (EI) by itself. Although B12 was effective in treatment of EI, it was ineffective in treatment of AxD. However, combination decreased both AxD and EI, which showed; additive effects could reverse neurological injury when used together.Conclusion:B12 and E were effective in functional recovery of PNI. Neither vitamin B12 nor E was effective in treatment AxD; however, combination was effective in treatment of AxD. Results suggested that E was effective in treatment of PNI, especially when combined with B12. It is our belief that combination of these vitamins could be used in treatment of PNI, especially after future studies have been conducted on humans.

Corresponding author : Cem Albay