Article

Recovery from peripheral nerve repair is frequently incomplete. Hence
drugs that enhance nerve regeneration are needed clinically. OBJECTIVES: To study
the effects of nandrolone decanoate in a model of deficient reinnervation in the
rat. METHODS: In 40 rats, a 40-mm segment of the left median nerve was removed
and interposed between the stumps of a sectioned right median nerve. Starting 7
days after nerve grafting and continuing over a 6-month period, we administered
nandrolone at a dose of 5 mg/kg/wk to half the rats (n = 20). All rats were
assessed behaviorally for grasp function and nociceptive recovery for up to 6
months. At final assessment, reinnervated muscles were tested
electrophysiologically and weighed. Results were compared between rats that had
received versus not received nandrolone and versus 20 nongrafted controls.
RESULTS: Rats in the nandrolone group recovered finger flexion faster. At 90 days
postsurgery, they had recovered 42% of normal grasp strength versus just 11% in
rats grafted but not treated with nandrolone. At 180 days, the average values for
grasp strength recovery in the nandrolone and no-nandrolone groups were 40% and
33% of normal values for controls, respectively. At 180 days, finger flexor
muscle twitch strength was 16% higher in treated versus nontreated rats.
Thresholds for nociception were not detected in either group 90 days after nerve grafting. At 180 days, nociceptive thresholds were significantly lower in the
nandrolone group. CONCLUSIONS: Nandrolone decanoate improved functional recovery in a model of deficient reinnervation.
- Animal

Langue : ANGLAIS