Turkish Neurosurgery 2012 , Vol 22 , Num 2
The Effects of Low-Dose Radiation in the Treatment of Sciatic Nerve Injury in Rats
Selcuk GOCMEN1, Sait SIRIN2, Kaan OYSUL3, Umit Hidir ULAS4, Emin OZTAS5
1Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
2Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Department of Neurosurgery, Ankara, Turkey
3Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Department of Radiation Oncology, Ankara, Turkey
4Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Department of Neurology, Ankara, Turkey
5Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Department of Histology, Ankara, Turkey
DOI : 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.5039-11.1 AIM: Peripheral nerve regeneration is often blocked by scar formation and misdirection of axon sprouts. The aim of this study is to evaluate electrophysiological and histopathological effects of low-dose radiation therapy on the prevention of intraneural scar formation in peripheral nerve injury.

MATERIAL and METHODS: In this experimental study, twenty rats were randomly divided into two groups. Left sciatic nerves were exposed and clipped by temporary aneurysm clip for 5 minutes in both groups. In all animals, electrophysiological recordings were performed between 22-24 hours after sciatic nerve injury. The control group was not given any treatment. In the experimental group, 700 cGy low-dose radiation was administered on the left sciatic nerves 24 hours after clipping. Six weeks after injury, electrophysiological recordings were performed in both groups and animals were sacrificed to evaluate the injured nerves histopathologically.

RESULTS: We observed that low-dose radiotherapy increased the amplitude and improved latency measurements in electrophysiological examinations. Histopathologically, more axonal degeneration and vacuolization was observed in the control group comparing with the experimental group. Endoneural space increased slightly more in the control group than the experimental group.

CONCLUSION: It was observed that low-dose radiotherapy may prevent intraneural scar formation and may improve electrophysiological recovery in sciatic nerve injury performed in rats. Keywords : Clipping, Intraneural scar, Peripheral nerve injury, Radiotherapy

Corresponding author : Selcuk Gocmen, s_gocmen@yahoo.com