Neuroprotective effects of vitamin E on adult rat motor neurones following facial nerve avulsion.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrates the neuroprotective effect of vitamin E after peripheral facial nerve injury. Antioxidants may have therapeutic potential in traumatic facial nerve dysfunction resulting from traumatic temporal bone injury and ear surgery.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the possible neuroprotective effect of vitamin E on the facial motor nucleus (FMN) motor neurones after peripheral nerve avulsion.

METHODS

In 36 adult rats, the right facial nerve was avulsed from the stylomastoid foramen. Following nerve avulsion, immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the effects of vitamin E on 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) activity. FMN motor neurones and glial cells were counted bilaterally in sections stained with cresyl violet.

RESULTS

Rats administered vitamin E exhibited clear suppression of injury-induced neuronal HNE expression in the ipsilateral FMN as compared to non-treated controls. Following nerve avulsion, the number of surviving motor neurones in the ipsilateral FMN was significantly greater among vitamin E-treated rats than non-treated controls.