Rosuvastatin enhanced functional recovery after sciatic nerve injury in the rat

Abstract

Posttraumatic nerve recovery remains a challenge in regenerative medicine. As such, there is a need for agents that limit nerve damage and enhance nerve regeneration. Here we investigate rosuvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. We explore its neuroprotective properties on sciatic nerve crush injury in male Wistar Rats. Rats were subjected to crush injury to the left sciatic nerve using a vessel clamp for 30 s. Rosuvastatin or vehicle was prepared daily and administrated by oral gavage for seven days post-injury. In rosuvastatin treatment groups, rosuvastatin was administrated at the doses of (5 or 10 mg/kg) in the treatment group. The control group was given a vehicle in the same manner. Behavioral, electrophysiological, morphological and molecular parameters were examined during the recovery process. Chronic administration of rosuvastatin at all doses after sciatic nerve crush markedly promoted nerve regeneration and significantly accelerated motor function recovery (P < 0.05). Electrophysiological, morphological and molecular parameters also improved in the rosuvastatin treatment groups compared to the controls. These findings suggest that neuroprotective effects of rosuvastatin could be due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. It is clear that more research is needed to confirm these findings.

Keywords: Crush; Peripheral nerve injury; Regeneration; Rosuvastatin; Sciatic functional index; Sciatic nerve.