Alpha-lipoic acid loaded in chitosan conduit enhances sciatic nerve regeneration in rat

Abstract

<em>Objective(s):</em> To investigate the effect of topical administration of alpha-lipoic acid into chitosan conduit on peripheral nerve regeneration using a rat sciatic nerve transection model. <br/><em>Materials and Methods: </em>Forty five Wistar rats were divided into three experimental groups randomly. A 10-mm gap of sciatic nerve was bridged with a chitosan conduit following surgical preparation and anesthesia. In treatment group, the conduit was filled with 30 µl alpha-lipoic acid (10 mg/kg/bw).It was filled with 30 µl phosphate buffered saline solution in control group. In Sham group sciatic nerve was just exposed. <br/><em>Results:</em> The recovery of nerve function was faster in treatment group than in control, at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery (<em>P</em>-value<0.05). Conduction velocity was better in treatment group than in control group at 4 and 12 weeks (<em>P</em>-value<0.05). Recovery index was higher in treatment group than the control group, 8 weeks after surgery (<em>P</em>-value <0.05). Greater nerve fiber diameter, axon diameter, and myelin sheath thickness were observed in treatment group compared to control group at 8 and 12 weeks after surgery (<em>P</em>-value<0.05). The immunoreactivity of regenerated axons and myelin sheath in treatment group were far more similar to sham group. <br/><em>Conclusion:</em> Alpha-lipoic acid when loaded in a chitosan conduit could improve transected sciatic nerve regeneration in rat.