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J Reconstr Microsurg 2013; 29(08): 495-500
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1348032
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Immune System Augmentation by Glatiramer Acetate of Peripheral Nerve Regeneration–Crush Versus Transection Models of Rat Sciatic Nerve

Shai Luria
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
,
Avraham Cohen
2   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
,
Ori Safran
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
,
Shimon Firman
2   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
,
Meir Liebergall
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

23 December 2012

29 March 2013

Publication Date:
11 June 2013 (online)

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Abstract

Immune system augmentation, using the antigen glatiramer acetate (GA), which is known to affect cellular immunity, has been shown to have a positive effect on peripheral nerve regeneration. We aimed to compare the effect of GA on the regeneration of crushed versus transected nerves. Wild-type rats underwent crush or transection and repair of the sciatic nerve. They were examined 3 weeks postinjury histologically (axon count) and functionally (tibialis anterior muscle weight and footprint analysis). GA was found to augment regeneration both histologically and functionally. In the transected nerve, a significant increase in axon count distal to the injury site was seen in the GA group versus control. A similar yet statistically insignificant trend was found in the crushed nerve. Improvement was found in the footprint analysis between the GA and control groups in both crush and transected nerve groups. We found improvement in the footprint analysis in the crush versus transection group. GA was found to improve the regeneration of the peripheral nerve. Histologically, this was more pronounced in the transection injury. The discrepancy between the different functional measures examined may be explained by the distance of the reinnervated muscles evaluated from the injury site.

Keywords

nerve regeneration - peripheral nerve - sciatic nerve - neuroprotection - Glatiramer Acetate
 

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