title: Electrophysiological and histopathological effects of mesenchymal stem cells in treatment of experimental rat model of sciatic nerve injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate electrophysiological and histopathological effects of mesenchymal stem cells in treatment of sciatic nerve injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two female Spraque-Dawley rat were used in this study. Eight rats were used as a reference group in electrophysiological analysis for evaluation of non-injured nerve recordings (Control Group). Twenty-four rats were used for experimental evaluation. Twelve rats were anastomosed without treatment with mesenchymal stem cells (Sham Group) and twelve other rats were anastomosed and treated with mesenchymal stem cells (Stem Cell Group). Surgicel and bioglue were used in anastomosed line in both Groups. Eight weeks after the surgery, electrophysiological evaluation of rats was performed and, then, rats were decapitated under anesthesia and specimens including sciatic nerves and anastomosed line were taken for histopathological evaluation. Electromyography and nerve conduction velocity testing and histopathological scoring including rate of Wallerian degeneration, and neuroma and scar formation were evaluated for both Groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no statistically significant differences between Sham and Stem Cell Groups with respect to histopathological evaluation. However, nerve conduction velocity showed significant difference between groups (P = 0.001). Nerve conduction velocity was significantly improved in Stem Cell Group when compared to Sham Group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, based on nerve conduction velocity data, it was concluded that treatment with mesenchymal stem cells during end-to-end anastomosis improves functional regeneration.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Atatürk State Hospital Sinop, Turkey.
authors: Ercan
authors: E
authors: Yarar
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Ondokuz Mayis University Samsun, Turkey.
authors: Enis
authors: E
authors: Kuruoglu
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Ondokuz Mayis University Samsun, Turkey.
authors: Ersoy
authors: E
authors: Kocabıcak
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Medicana Private Hospital Samsun, Turkey.
authors: Adnan
authors: A
authors: Altun
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Turhal State Hospital Tokat, Turkey.
authors: Eyup
authors: E
authors: Genc
authors: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Ondokuz Mayis University Samsun, Turkey.
authors: Hamit
authors: H
authors: Ozyurek
authors: Department of Pathology, Ondokuz Mayis University Samsun, Turkey.
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Kefeli
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Ondokuz Mayis University Samsun, Turkey.
authors: Abdullah Hilmi
authors: AH
authors: Marangoz
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Ondokuz Mayis University Samsun, Turkey.
authors: Keramettin
authors: K
authors: Aydın
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Ondokuz Mayis University Samsun, Turkey.
authors: Cengiz
authors: C
authors: Cokluk
keywords: Mesenchymal stem cells; experimental sciatic nerve injury; nerve conduction velocity; scar tissue