title: The effects of low-dose radiation in the treatment of sciatic nerve injury in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Peripheral nerve regeneration is often blocked by scar formation and misdirection of axon sprouts. The aim of this study is to evaluate electrophysiological and histopathological effects of low-dose radiation therapy on the prevention of intraneural scar formation in peripheral nerve injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this experimental study, twenty rats were randomly divided into two groups. Left sciatic nerves were exposed and clipped by temporary aneurysm clip for 5 minutes in both groups. In all animals, electrophysiological recordings were performed between 22-24 hours after sciatic nerve injury. The control group was not given any treatment. In the experimental group, 700 cGy low-dose radiation was administered on the left sciatic nerves 24 hours after clipping. Six weeks after injury, electrophysiological recordings were performed in both groups and animals were sacrificed to evaluate the injured nerves histopathologically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed that low-dose radiotherapy increased the amplitude and improved latency measurements in electrophysiological examinations. Histopathologically, more axonal degeneration and vacuolization was observed in the control group comparing with the experimental group. Endoneural space increased slightly more in the control group than the experimental group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was observed that low-dose radiotherapy may prevent intraneural scar formation and may improve electrophysiological recovery in sciatic nerve injury performed in rats.
authors.affiliation: Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Selcuk
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gocmen
authors.forename: Sait
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sirin
authors.forename: Kaan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oysul
authors.forename: Umit Hidir
authors.initials: UH
authors.lastname: Ulas
authors.forename: Emin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oztas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009409:Nerve Crush; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D020426:Sciatic Neuropathy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D013525:Surgical Instruments