[Effects on fiber regeneration following facial nerve transection treated with NOS antagonist].

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the role of nitric oxide synthase antagonist, N-Nitro-L-Arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME) in the regeneration of facial nerve following facial nerve transection.

METHOD: The facial nerves of 40 guinea pigs were exposed and a segment of the nerve at 3 mm length were excided. The two ends of the transected nerve were sutured and enveloped in a silicone tubule to form a regeneration chamber. L-NAME and saline were respectively injected into the regeneration chambers just after transection. The experiments were observed quantificational by the means of axon and myelin staining under light microscope.

RESULT: The findings in the work indicate that inhibition of NOS with L-NAME substantially better myelinated facial nerve regeneration than that associated with administration of saline.

CONCLUSION

L-NAME improve the regeneration of myelinated fibers. The mechanism seems to be related to the blockade of NO's neurotoxicity.