Atorvastatin is beneficial for muscle reinnervation after complete sciatic nerve section in rats

J Plast Surg Hand Surg. 2013 Dec;47(6):446-50. doi: 10.3109/2000656X.2013.778205. Epub 2013 Jul 15.

Abstract

Nerve regeneration and functional recovery are often incomplete after peripheral neurotmetic lesion. Atorvastatin has been shown to be neuroprotective after transient ischaemia or traumatic injury. The aim of this study was to establish if systemic administration of Atorvastatin could improve functional muscle reinnervation after complete sciatic nerve section. Sixteen female Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. After a complete right sciatic nerve section, end-to-end microsuture repair was performed and fibrin glue was added. Three groups were studied: (1) sutures (S) + fibrin glue (F) only + saline administration for 14 days; (2) S+F+Atorvastatin administration for 14 days; and (3) uninjured nerve. Five months later, the sciatic nerve and the gastrocnemius muscle were isolated to perform in vivo electrophysiological measurements. Better kinematics was observed in atorvastatin-treated rats 5 months after its administration. Indeed, a larger excursion of the hip-ankle-toe angle during walking was observed. This effect was associated with the preservation of electromyographic activity (2.91 mV vs 0.77 mV) and maximal muscle force (85.1 g vs 28.6 g) on stimulation of the proximal nerve section. Five months after a neurotmetic lesion, the recovery is incomplete when using suture and fibrin glue only. Furthermore, the systemic administration of Atorvastatin for 14 days after lesion was beneficial in improving locomotion capability associated with the re-establishment of muscle strength and EMG activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Atorvastatin
  • Axons / pathology
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Electromyography
  • Female
  • Fibrin Tissue Adhesive
  • Heptanoic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Locomotion
  • Microsurgery
  • Models, Animal
  • Muscle Strength
  • Muscle, Skeletal / innervation*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Myelin Sheath / pathology
  • Nerve Regeneration / drug effects*
  • Pyrroles / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Recovery of Function
  • Sciatic Nerve / physiology*
  • Sciatic Nerve / surgery*
  • Sutures
  • Tissue Adhesives

Substances

  • Fibrin Tissue Adhesive
  • Heptanoic Acids
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Pyrroles
  • Tissue Adhesives
  • Atorvastatin