Neuroprotective Effects of Halofuginone in Rat's Sciatic Nerve Injury.

OBJECTIVE

The object of the present study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of halofuginone-with its antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects-on peripheral nerve injuries frequently encountered in daily life, at the functional, pathological, and cellular levels through the use of electron microscopy.

METHODS

Forty Wistar rats were distributed into 4 groups. Group 1 (sham group) consisted of rats with only exposed nerves; group 2 (control group) consisted of traumatized rats; group 3 (methylprednisolone [MP] group) consisted of rats receiving MP treatment after trauma; group 4 (halofuginone group) consisted of rats receiving halofuginone treatment after trauma. The rats were decapitated after one month. During this period, gait track analysis, muscle mass ratio, and pathological and electron microscopic evaluations were performed.

RESULTS

Significant functional improvement was observed in the animal groups receiving MP and halofuginone compared to the trauma group. It was determined that halofuginone and MP provided improvement in peripheral nerve structure at both the pathological and cellular levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Halofuginone has peripheral nerve protective effects on a rat peripheral nerve injury model.