Enhancement of nerve regeneration with nimodipine treatment after sciatic nerve injury

Abstract

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNI/s) are common orthopedic conditions, characterized by motor and sensory deficits in the damaged region. There is growing evidence that the L‐type calcium channel antagonist nimodipine has neuroprotective and neuroregenerative effects in animal models of neurological disorders. The efficacy of nimodipine on improving motor function and sensation following a sciatic nerve crush model was investigated in male Wistar rats as a model of PNI. At different time periods following damage, we evaluated motor function, sensory recovery, electrophysiology, histomorphometry, and gene expression. Moreover, we used histological and mass ratio analysis of the gastrocnemius muscle to assess atrophy. Our findings suggest that the nimodipine improves motor and sensory function more quickly in the damaged region 2, 4, and 6 weeks after 1 week of treatment. Nimodipine treatment also increased the number of myelinated fibers while decreasing their thickness, as shown by histomorphometry. Additionally, nimodipine treatment increases the mRNA levels of neurotrophic factors (BDNF and NGF), which are known to contribute to the regeneration of injured neurons. The impact of nimodipine in PNI recovery may be due to its stimulation of the CREB signaling pathway and suppression of pro‐inflammatory factor production.

Biocompatible 3D-Printed Devices With Adipose Stem Cells in the Regenerative Process of Sciatic Nerve Lesions in Rodent Models: An Experimental Study

“…The stroma consists of three layers of connective tissues, while the parenchyma is formed by the nerve fibers, namely, axons and Schwann cells. The nerve fibers can be myelinated if the Schwann cells cover a single axon, or a single Schwann cell can interact with a group of axons resulting unmyelinated nerve fibers [18][19][20][21][22][23].…”

The Effect of Aerobic Exercise and Pistachio Soft Hull Extract on the Expression of the Il-6 and IL-1β Genes in the Soleus Muscle of Female Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet

“…In an experimental trial, 30 female Wistar rats, weighing between 180 and 200 grams, were purchased from the Pasteur Institute and transferred to the Laboratory Center of Azad Islamic University, Tehran Branch. To allow the rats to adapt to the environment and to control confounding factors, the rats were acclimated for two weeks before the start of the protocols (24,25). The laboratory environment was prepared according to the following standards: Regulation of relative humidity at 50% ± 10%, regulation of light-dark cycles to 12/12 hours, temperature maintained at 25 ± 2 degrees Celsius, a ventilation system with a silent fan, housing 6 rats in a standard cage, and providing free access to tap water and rat chow.…”

Neuron-Schwann cell interactions in peripheral nervous system homeostasis, disease, and preclinical treatment

“…In the last decade, the regeneration potential of a number of molecular and gene agents has been evaluated in the mouse sciatic nerve injury model. They have shown potential applications in preclinical studies ( Al-Saedi et al, 2023 ; Elhessy et al, 2023 ; Ferdowsi et al, 2023 ).…”

“…The findings showed that motor and sensory neuron functions increased after treatment. Nimodipine can both reduce apoptosis and promote axon regeneration likely by modulating the CREB signaling pathway and suppressing pro-inflammatory factors ( Al-Saedi et al, 2023 ).…”