title: Effects of valproic Acid on axonal regeneration and recovery of motor function after peripheral nerve injury in the rat.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Valproic acid (VPA) is used to be an effective anti-epileptic drug and mood stabilizer. It has recently been demonstrated that VPA could promote neurite outgrowth, activate the extracellular signal regulated kinase pathway, and increases bcl-2 and growth cone-associated protein 43 levels in spinal cord. In the present research we demonstrate the effect of VPA on peripheral nerve regeneration and recovery of motor function following sciatic nerve transaction in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  The rats in VPA group and control group were administered with valproic acid (300mg/kg) and sodium chloride respectively after operation. Each animal was observed sciatic nerve index (SFI) at 2-week intervals and studied electrophysiology at 4-week intervals for 12 weeks. Histological and morphometrical analyses were performed 12 weeks after operation. Using the digital image-analysis system, thickness of the myelin sheath was measured, and total numbers of regenerated axons were counted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant difference in SFI, electrophysiological index (motor-nerve conduct velocity), and morphometrical results (regenerated axon number and thickness of myelin sheath) in nerve regeneration between the VPA group and controls (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results demonstrated that VPA is able to enhance sciatic nerve regeneration in rats, suggesting the potential clinical application of VPA for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury in humans.
authors.affiliation: Ting Rao MD, Department of Urology People Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan City Hu Bei Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.affiliation: Ting Rao MD, Department of Urology People Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan City Hu Bei Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Ting Rao MD, Department of Urology People Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan City Hu Bei Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Danmou
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.affiliation: Ting Rao MD, Department of Urology People Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan City Hu Bei Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhengren
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: Ting Rao MD, Department of Urology People Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan City Hu Bei Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: Ting Rao MD, Department of Urology People Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan City Hu Bei Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: Ting Rao MD, Department of Urology People Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan City Hu Bei Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Ting Rao MD, Department of Urology People Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan City Hu Bei Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhiming
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Ting Rao MD, Department of Urology People Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan City Hu Bei Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Huan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Ting Rao MD, Department of Urology People Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan City Hu Bei Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Junweng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Ting Rao MD, Department of Urology People Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan City Hu Bei Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wusheng
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kan
authors.affiliation: Ting Rao MD, Department of Urology People Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan City Hu Bei Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Qingsong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
keywords: Bcl-2; Growth cone-associated protein 43; Myelin; Rat; Sciatic nerve index; Valproic acid