The Effect of Nitric Oxide Donor, SNAC on Motor Functional Recovery of Reperfused Peripheral Nerve

초록

Purpose To investigate the effects of nitric oxide (NO) donor, S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine (SNAC) on the motor functional recovery of a reperfused rat sciatic nerve. Materials and Methods Seventy-eight rats were divided into the following 3 groups: SNAC, methylprednisolone (MP), and phosphate buffered saline (PBS)-treated groups. A 1 cm segment of the sciatic nerve underwent 2 hours of ischemia followed by 90 minutes of reperfusion. The results were evaluated using a walking track test, muscle contractile test and an examination of the muscle weight and histology at various reperfusion periods. Results There was a significant improvement in the sciatic functional index (SFI) and contractile force of the SNAC-treated group compared with the MP and PBS groups. The SNAC group showed earlier improvement in the SFI measurement between days 7-28. The contractile force and muscle weight of the extensor digitorum longus muscle began to be restored earlier in the SNAC group after day 11, while the others showed progressive atrophy until day 21. The histology examination revealed less severe degeneration and earlier regeneration of axons in the SNAC-treated rats than the other groups. Conclusion The supplementation of NO is effective in promoting the motor functional recovery of a reperfused peripheral nerve and has the potential to replace or augment steroids as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of nervous system ischemia/reperfusion injuries.

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