The effect of Riluzole on functional recovery of locomotion in the rat sciatic nerve crush model.
OBJECTIVE
Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is common disorder that represents more than 3 % of all traumatic injury cases. One type of PNI, sciatic nerve injury, leads to considerable motoneuron dysfunction. Because Riluzole is clinically approved for the treatment of motoneuron disease, we evaluated whether Riluzole treatment could enhance the nerve regeneration process and improve functional outcome after sciatic nerve crush in rats.


METHODS
In acute treatment groups, a single dose of Riluzole (6 and 8 mg/kg) was administered intra-peritoneally 15 min after the crush nerve injury. In the chronic treatment groups, animals were treated with Riluzole (4 and 6 mg/kg/d) for 8 days. Sciatic functional index (SFI) was evaluated for 9 weeks after injury. Furthermore, electrophysiological and morphometric evaluations were performed at the 9th week following injury.


RESULTS
Acute and chronic administrations of Riluzole immediately after sciatic nerve crush result in significantly delayed regeneration and reduced motor function outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that early administration of even a single dose of Riluzole after sciatic nerve crush injury can delay motor function recovery. This effect may not depend on its anti-nociceptive activity.
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
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MB
Ghayour
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
A
A
Abdolmaleki
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. behnam@um.ac.ir.
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M
Behnam-Rassouli
D000818:Animals; D000071576:Crush Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020127:Recovery of Function; D019782:Riluzole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects*; D020426:Sciatic Neuropathy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D019782:Riluzole
Crush; Injury; Motoneuron; Motor function; Peripheral nerve injury; Rat; Regeneration; Riluzole; Sciatic functional index; Sciatic nerve