1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
2Department of Pathology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
3Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
4School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
5Comparative Medicine Research Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
6Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
* For correspondence: Tel: +98-711-6474263; Fax: +98-711-6474263; E-mail: mehrabad@sums.ac.ir.
To determine the effect of lamotrigine, an antiepileptic drug, on sciatic nerve regeneration and repair, 30 male white 2000±100 g New Zealand rabbits were divided into two equal groups of case and control. The right sciatic nerve of all animals was transected in the mid-thigh region and was sutured immediately. In the case group, lamotrigine was implanted at the site of nerve but the control group received nothing. Each group was divided into 3 equal subgroups. The subgroups A, B and C were sacrificed after 14, 45 and 90 d post-operation, respectively. Electromyographic and histopathological examinations were carried out for each animal. Histological study revealed a significant prominent repair and proliferation of Schwann cells in the case group after 14 and 45 d and a relatively complete repair after 90 d post-operation. As lamotrigine could enhance the proliferation of Schwann cells, it played an important role in the regeneration of the injured sciatic nerve.
PNS, injured peripheral nerve, lamotrigine, Schwann cells, rabbit
