Effect of Plaferon LB on the Injured Sciatic Nerve Regeneration

Tamar Giorgadze*, Manana Kvezereli*, Tinatin Chikovani**, Vasil Gorgadze**, Giorgi Burkadze**

*Institute of Medical Biotexnology of the Georgian Academy of Sciences;
**Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia.

One of the most common problems in the fields of orthopaedic surgery and neurology is that of the injured peripheral nerve. Injured nerve fibers in the adult mammalian peripheral nervous system can and often do regenerate, thereby restoring at least some lost functions. The surgical repair technique per se plays a minor role for the functional outcome. Critical role is played by Schwann cells as well as macrophages and inflammatory cells. The importance of neurotrophic factors has also been elucidated. Yet, functional recovery after peripheral nerve injuries is frequently poor despite the capacity for axonal degeneration. Nowadays the model of pharmacological stimulation of rat sciatic nerve regeneration is the most popular. The aim of our study was to determine the influence of PLB treatment on the regeneration processes of the injured peripheral nerve. Experiment was conducted on twelve white rats. Animals were daily treated by PLB. Treatment was begun three days before operation. Six animals were treated with PLB, another six were undergone a course of saline treatment. Operation was carried out by surgeon. Sewed sciatic nerves were obtained and used for morphological observation. Preparation was stained by hematoxylin-eosin methods, neurohistological method-Nils and immunocytochemical method. These findings suggest that PLB may play an important role in the regeneration of the injured peripheral nerve. PLB enhances proliferation of Schwann cells and mast cells, decreases the amount of lymphocytes. The present observations point to PLB as stimulator of regenerative process in injured peripheral nerve.

Keywords:  PNS, injured peripheral nerve, plaferon LB, Schwann cells, mast cells, lymphocytes