Background & Aims: Oxidative stress has a prominent role on function of injured peripheral nervous system. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of n-acetyl cysteine on functional, biochemical factors and ultrastructural changes induced by experimental crush on sciatic nerve in the rat.

Materials & Methods: Sixty rats were divided into 5 groups, which contained 12 animals each. Left sciatic nerve was crushed using hemostatic forceps for 60 seconds. Animals received n-acetyl cysteine at doses of 10 and 40 mg/kg intraperitoneally for 15 consecutive days. Functional recovery of sciatic nerve was assessed using Sciatic Functional Index (SFI). Malondialdehyde (MDA) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of sciatic nerve tissue were measured. Ultra-thin histopathological slides were prepared for electromicroscopical evaluation.

Results: N-acetyl cysteine significantly accelerated recovery of SFI values (p<0.05). It also significantly improved MDA level and SOD activity of sciatic nerve tissue (p<0.05). Thinning, invagination and bleb formation of myelin sheath accompanied by vacuolation of axoplasm, which were observed in crushed sciatic nerve, were recovered in n-acetyl cysteine treated animals.

Conclusion: Results of the current study revealed that n-acetyl cysteine accelerated the recovery of crushed sciatic nerve. This ability of n-acetyl cysteine may be due to its antioxidant property. Besides, n-acetyl cysteine exerts its neuroprotective effect by decreasing the alterations of myelin sheath as well as axoplasm.

SOURCE: URMIA MED J 2016: 27(4): 276 ISSN: 1027-3727