☆ 4.7 Article

Carnosine improves functional recovery and structural regeneration after sciatic nerve crush injury in rats

LIFE SCIENCES (2018)

Journal

LIFE SCIENCES

Volume 215, Issue -, Pages 22-30

Publisher

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.10.043

Keywords

Carnosine; Functional recovery; Regeneration; Oxidative stress; Sciatic nerve crush; Rats

Funding

Office of Vice Chancellor for Research, Urmia University [008-D-93]

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Abstract

Aims: Peripheral nerve injury represents a substantial clinical problem with insufficient or unsatisfactory treatment options. Current researches have extensively focused on the new approaches for the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries. Carnosine is a naturally occurring pleotropic dipeptide and has many biological functions such as antioxidant property. In the present study, we examined the regenerative ability of carnosine after sciatic nerve crush injury using behavioral, biochemical, histological and ultrastructural evaluations. Materials and methods: Seventy-two rats were divided into six groups including control, sham, crush and carnosine (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) groups. Crush injury in left sciatic nerve was induced by a small haemostatic forceps. Carnosine was administered for 15 consecutive days after induction of crush injury. Sciatic functional index (SFI) was recorded weekly. Histopathological and ultrastructural evaluations were made using light and electron microscopes, respectively. Sciatic nerve tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels were measured. Gastrocnemius muscle weight was determined. Key findings: Carnosine at the doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg accelerated SFI recovery. Wallerian degeneration severity and myelinated fibers density, myelin sheath thickness and diameter as well as ultrastructural changes of myelinated axons were improved. It also recovered nerve tissue biochemical (MDA, SOD and TNF-alpha) changes induced by crush injury. Muscle weight ratio was reached to near normal values. Our results suggest a regenerative effect of carnosine. Inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways, along with provocation of myelination and prevention of muscular atrophy might be involved in this effect of carnosine. Significance: Carnosine treatment might be considered as a therapeutic agent for peripheral nerve regeneration and its functional recovery.

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Metabolites of Moringa oleifera Activate Physio-Biochemical Pathways for an Accelerated Functional Recovery after Sciatic Nerve Crush Injury in Mice

Muhammad Imran, Ghulam Hussain, Arruje Hameed, Iqra Iftikhar, Muhammad Ibrahim, Rahat Asghar, Izzat Nisar, Tahir Farooq, Tanzila Khalid, Kanwal Rehman, Mohammed A. Assiri

Summary: This study screened the functional metabolites of Moringa oleifera and found that they play an important role in accelerated functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury. The extracts from Moringa showed potential in promoting the recovery of sensory and motor functions, as well as controlling oxidative stress and facilitating nerve regeneration. This study highlights the significance of Moringa as a sustainable source of nutritive metabolites and a valuable target for drug development.

METABOLITES (2022)