Neurophysiological and morphological responses to treatment with acetyl-L-carnitine in a sciatic nerve injury model: preliminary data.

We investigated the effects of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) on the recovery of sciatic nerve injuries in rats. Sprague Dawley rats were randomized to two groups: ALCAR treated (for 14 days) and control. Each group was divided into three subgroups: distal transection, proximal transection, and grafted. Distal latencies, amplitudes, and motor nerve conduction velocities were measured. In the third month, biopsies were taken and examined under light microscopy. Electrophysiological measurements demonstrated that regeneration occurred earlier and was better in the ALCAR group, particularly in the distal transection subgroup. Better results were obtained in the distal transection subgroup in terms of axonal regeneration compared with the proximal transection and grafted subgroups because the regenerating segment was shorter. ALCAR enhanced the quality of neural recovery at the different levels and in different types of repair, and led to a decline in nerve death.