[Effects of immunosuppressants on cytokine expressions after repair for nerve injury in a rat model].
OBJECTIVE
To explore effects of several immunosuppressants on cytokine expressions after repair for a sciatic nerve injury in a rat model.


METHODS
The sciatic nerves of 42 rats were cut and sutured end-to-end. After operation, the rats were divided into 6 groups. Group A (n = 9) was served as a control with no medicines given. Group B (n= 9) was given methylprednisolone 20 mg/(kg x d) for 2 days. Groups C(n= 9) and D(n = 3) were given FK506 1 mg/(kg - d) for 2 weeks and 4 weeks respectively, and were given the same doses of methylprednisolone as Group B. Groups E and F were given CsA 2 mg/(kg - d) for 2 weeks and 4 weeks respectively, and were given the same doses of methylprednisolone as Group B. The sciatic nerves were sampled at 1, 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively. And immunohistochemistry stainings of interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon gamma(IFN-gamma) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF) were performed. The staining results were compared and analyzed.


RESULTS
The expression peaks of IL-1beta and IFN-gamma were found at the 1st week postoperatively in Group A. Then, the expression decreased rapidly at the 2nd week and disappeared at the 4th week. As for TNF-a and MIF, they were only found to have a low expression until the 1st week in Group A. In groups C-F, the expression peaks of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma were found at the 2nd week, while the expression peak of MIF was still at the 1st week, and the expression of all the cytokines extended to the 4th week. The expressions of these cytokines in Group B were just between the expression levels of Group A and Groups C-F.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunosuppressants can delay the expression peaks and significantly extend the expression time of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and MIF after repair for a sciatic nerve injury in a rat model.
Xiong
Ge
G
Department of Hand Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, 100035, PR China. xiongge@sohu.com
Wang
Yan
Y
Tong
Dedi
D
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000378:metabolism*; D020196:Trauma, Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis; D048069:Tumor Necrosis Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D048069:Tumor Necrosis Factors