[The effect of alpha-liponic acid, vitamin B or gangliosides on the regeneration of traumatically damaged peripheral nerves in the rat. A comparative, morphometric study].

The sciatic nerve of male rats was crushed in accordance with a standardized method. To investigate the positive influence of different substances on nerve regeneration, the rats received daily injections of alpha-liponic acid, vitamin B or gangliosides. After 11 days the sciatic nerves were removed and the area distal to the crush site was analyzed histomorphometrically. Compared with the control group, there was only a slight increase in the number of regenerating fibres and their diameters following treatment with alpha-liponic acid or vitamin B. However, in the ganglioside-treated rats the differences, indicative of accelerated regeneration, were statistically significant.