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The effect of Riluzole on functional recovery of locomotion in the rat sciatic nerve crush model

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European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is common disorder that represents more than 3 % of all traumatic injury cases. One type of PNI, sciatic nerve injury, leads to considerable motoneuron dysfunction. Because Riluzole is clinically approved for the treatment of motoneuron disease, we evaluated whether Riluzole treatment could enhance the nerve regeneration process and improve functional outcome after sciatic nerve crush in rats.

Methods

In acute treatment groups, a single dose of Riluzole (6 and 8 mg/kg) was administered intra-peritoneally 15 min after the crush nerve injury. In the chronic treatment groups, animals were treated with Riluzole (4 and 6 mg/kg/d) for 8 days. Sciatic functional index (SFI) was evaluated for 9 weeks after injury. Furthermore, electrophysiological and morphometric evaluations were performed at the 9th week following injury.

Results

Acute and chronic administrations of Riluzole immediately after sciatic nerve crush result in significantly delayed regeneration and reduced motor function outcome.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that early administration of even a single dose of Riluzole after sciatic nerve crush injury can delay motor function recovery. This effect may not depend on its anti-nociceptive activity.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Ann Paterson for assisting with English.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

    M. B. Ghayour, A. Abdolmaleki & M. Behnam-Rassouli

Authors
  1. M. B. Ghayour
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  2. A. Abdolmaleki
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  3. M. Behnam-Rassouli
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Behnam-Rassouli.

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Conflict of interest

Mohammad-Bagher Ghayour, Arash Abdolmaleki, and Morteza Behnam-Rassouli declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Research involving human and animal rights

All animal experiments were carried out in accordance with the European Communities Council directive of 24 November 1986 (86/609/EEC) and in accordance with the local FUM committee for Human and Animal ethics.

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Ghayour, M.B., Abdolmaleki, A. & Behnam-Rassouli, M. The effect of Riluzole on functional recovery of locomotion in the rat sciatic nerve crush model. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 43, 691–699 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-016-0691-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-016-0691-4

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