Neuroprotective effects of acetyl-L-carnithine in experimental chronic compression neuropathy. A prospective, randomized and placebo-control trials.

OBJECTIVE

We designed this experimental study to examine the potential positive influences of the acetylated derivative of acetyl-L-carnithine, an endogenous substance present in the nervous system, on chronic compression neuropathy. This is the first study ever published on the medical treatment of experimental chronic compression neuropathy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five groups composed of 5 rats each were used in the study. Group 1: The control group, in which a 1 cm-long segment proximally from the bifurcation point of the right sciatic nerve of each rat was excised, accompanied by removal of the right soleus muscle. Group 2: The compression neuropathy model group, in which the right sciatic nerve of each rat was compressed for 30 days. Group 3: The right sciatic nerves were compressed for 30 days, followed by decompression and assessment on the 60th day. Group 4: The right sciatic nerves were compressed for 30 days, followed by decompression and acetyl-Lcarnithine administration between days 30 and 60. Group 5: The right sciatic nerves were compressed for 30 days, followed by acetyl-L-carnithine administration from day 30 to 60 without decompression. The study continued with the rats in the other 3 groups. Rats in the 3rd group were treated with decompression only and kept for another 1 month. Rats in the 4th group received acetyl-L-carnithine at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally for 1 month after decompression, whereas rats in the 5th group received only intraperitoneal acetyl-L-carnithine at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day without decompression. Like the rats in groups 1 and 2, these rats were also sacrificed with ether overdose, with their right sciatic nerves and soleus muscles being excised for histopathological examination and weighing, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In our study, it was found that decompression significantly improves the recovery rate of peripheral nerve as compared with that without decompression, and that acetyl-L-carnithine coadministered with decompression enhances clinical and histopathological recovery. In addition, the use of silicon tubes in such experiments was found to be likely to have prominent advantages.