Effects of methyl palmitate on axon and myelin healing in an experimental sciatic nerve injury model in rats

Özet

Objective: To investigate the effect of methyl palmitate (MP) on axon and myelin healing after a sciatic nerve crush injury model in rats. Methods: Twenty-eight Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four equal groups. In group 1, the right sciatic nerves of the rats were only opened and closed. In group 2, the right sciatic nerves of the rats were opened and closed, and MP (300 mg/ kg) was given three times per week on alternate days for a total period of four weeks. In group 3, the right sciatic nerves of the rats were opened and then a crush injury was performed with an aneurysm clip for five minutes. In group 4, the crush injury was performed on the right sciatic nerves of the rats for five minutes. MP was given orally in the same way. Walking track analyses analysis, electromyelography, and a histopathologic examination were performed. Results: Proximal, distal, and delta latency values were lower in group 4 than in group 3 (p≤0.001). The nerve conduction ve-locity, the amplitude of compound muscle action potential, and the number of axons were lower in group 3 and group 4 than in group 1 and group 2,but these measurements were higher in group 4 than in group 3 (p≤0.001). Caspase-3 activation levels and the sciatic nerve function index were higher in group 3 and group 4, but these measurements were lower in group 4 than in group 3 (p≤0.05). Conclusion: Oral administration of MP in a compression model of peripheral nerve injury has a beneficial effect on myelin sheath and axon survival.