title: Assessment of neuroregenerative effect of dihydrotestosterone, on peripheral nerve regeneration using allografts: a rat sciatic nerve model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Effects of dihydrotestosterone on nerve allograft were studied in a rat sciatic nerve model.
  
  
  METHODS
  30 healthy male white Wistar rats were castrated and randomised into three experimental groups (n = 10): Normal control group (NC), autograft group (AUTO), allograft group (ALLO) and dihydrotestosterone-treated group (ALLO/DHT). In NC group, left sciatic nerve was exposed and left intact. In autograft group, a segment of sciatic nerve was transected and reimplanted reversely. In the ALLO group, the left sciatic nerve was exposed and transected where a 10-mm segment was excised. The same procedure was performed in the ALLO/DHT group. The harvested nerves of the rats of ALLO group were served as allograft for ALLO/DHT group and vice versa. The NC, AUTO and ALLO groups received 300 μl phosphate buffered saline (PBS) intraperitoneally once a day for 1 week and the ALLO/DHT group received 300 μl DHT (1 mg/kg/day) interaperitoneally once a day for 1 week.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed earlier regeneration of axons in ALLO/DHT than in ALLO group (P < 0.05). Histomorphometic and immunohistochemical studies also showed earlier regeneration of axons in ALLO/DHT than in ALLO group (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Administration of DHT could accelerate functional recovery after nerve allografting in sciatic nerve and may have implications in clinical practice.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karegar
authors.forename: Rahim
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
mesh_terms: D064591:Allografts; D000818:Animals; D064592:Autografts; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*
chemical_list: D013196:Dihydrotestosterone
keywords: Allograft,; Dihydrotestosterone,; Peripheral nerve repair,; Rat; Sciatic,