title: Assessment of Neuroprotective Effects of Local Administration of 17- Beta- Estradiol on Peripheral Nerve Regeneration in Ovariectomized Female Rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the neuroprotective effects of local administration of 17- beta- estradiol on nerve regeneration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty female Wistar rats were overiectomized and divided into four experimental groups (n = 15), randomly: In autograft group a segment of sciatic nerve was transected and re-implanted reversely. In sham-surgery group sciatic nerve was exposed and manipulated. In transected group left sciatic nerve was transected and stumps were fixed in adjacent muscle. In treatment group defect was bridged using a silicon conduit filled with 10 µL (0.1 mg/mL) 17- beta- estradiol. Each group was subdivided into four subgroups of five animals each and nerve fibers were studied in a 12-week period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Behavioral, functional, biomechanical, electrophysiological and gastrocnemius muscle mass findings and morphometric indices confirmed faster recovery of regenerated axons in treatment group than in other groups (p<0.05). Immunohistochemical reactions to S-100 in treatment group were more positive than that in other groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Local administration of 17-beta-estradiol improved functional recovery and morphometric indices of sciatic nerve. It could have clinical implications for the surgical management of patients after facial nerve transection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia Branch, Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran.
authors.forename: Ahmadreza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nobakhti-Afshar
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia Branch, Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Najafpour
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
authors.forename: Rahim
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
authors.affiliation: Solid Tumor Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zarei
keywords: 17-beta-estradiol; Local administration; Nerve regeneration; Rat; Sciatic nerve