Systematic investigation and comparison of US FDA-approved immunosuppressive drugs FK506, cyclosporine and rapamycin for neuromuscular regeneration following chronic nerve compression injury.

To compare therapeutic benefits of different immunophilin ligands for treating nerve injuries. Cyclosporine, FK506 and rapamycin, were evaluated first on a serum-free culture of embryonic dorsal root ganglia followed by a new model of chronic nerve compression. Outcomes of the study have shown a potent effect of cyclosporine and FK506, on dorsal root ganglia axonal outgrowth, comparable to the effect of nerve growth factor. Rapamycin exhibited only a moderate effect. The study revealed the beneficial effects of cyclosporine, FK506 and rapamycin for neuromuscular regeneration. Cyclosporine showed the better maintenance of the tissues and function. Cyclosporine, FK506 and rapamycin drugs showed potential for treating peripheral nerve chronic compression injuries.