Does halofuginone influence regeneration after peripheral nerve injury?

BACKGROUND

Halofuginone is an antiprotozoal drug with antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of our study was to determine the effects of halofuginone on nerve recovery in sciatic nerve injury and compare it with steroid treatment.

METHODS

The left sciatic nerves of Sham subjects were exposed without intervention. The nerves of trauma animals were transected and sutured. In the methylprednisolone group and in the trauma group, after nerve transection and repair, 1 mg/kg methylprednisolone per day was administered intraperitoneally for seven days; in the halofuginone group and in the trauma group, after nerve transection and repair, 0.2 mg/kg halofuginone per day was administered orally by gavage for seven days. The rats were functionally evaluated at 4 and 8 weeks through walking path analysis. Pathological-morphometric, immunostaining-quantitative, and muscle weight measurements were performed at 8 weeks.

RESULTS

Compared with the trauma group, the methylprednisolone and the halofuginone groups had better functional outcomes (p < 0.001). Statistically significant difference was found in comparisons of the pathological and immunostaining results of the methylprednisolone and halofuginone groups (Respectively, nerve diameter (p = 0.007) and edema (P = 0.009)).

CONCLUSION

Halofuginone positively contributed to recovery after sciatic nerve injury.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.