Neuroprotective effects of TJ-23 (Tokishakuyakusan) on adult rat motoneurons following peripheral facial nerve axotomy.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated free radical scavenging activity and the possible neuroprotective effect of Tokishakuyakusan (TJ-23) on facial motor nucleus (FMN) motoneurons after peripheral axotomy.


METHODS
In 40 adult rats, the right facial nerve was transected at the level of the stylomastoid foramen. Following axotomy, the effects of TJ-23 on nitric oxide synthase were investigated using NADPH-d histochemistry. FMN motoneurons were counted bilaterally in sections stained with cresyl violet.


RESULTS
Rats administered TJ-23 exhibited clear suppression of injury-induced neuronal NADPH-d expression in the ipsilateral FMN when compared to nontreated controls. The number of surviving motoneurons in the ipsilateral FMN was significantly greater among TJ-23-treated rats than nontreated controls on day 56 following axotomy.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study demonstrates the neuroprotective effect of TJ-23 after peripheral facial nerve axotomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Antioxidants may have therapeutic potential in traumatic facial nerve dysfunction resulting from head injury, ear surgery, and parotid gland surgery.
Ito
Makoto
M
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Neuroscience, Laboratory of Neuroanatomy, Center for Biomedical Research and Education, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan. makoto@med.kanazawa-u.ac.jp
Ohbayashi
Masao
M
Furukawa
Mitsuru
M
Okoyama
Shigeo
S
D000818:Animals; D019771:Axotomy; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009249:NADP / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; C413220:toki-shakuyaku-san; D009249:NADP