Enhancement of neuromuscular recovery after nerve repair in primates.

This investigation describes the use of the calcium-activated protease inhibitor, leupeptin, as an adjunctive therapy to the microsurgical repair of median nerves in a primate model. Our results indicate that leupeptin facilitates morphological recovery in denervated thenar muscles and in distal sensory and mixed motor-sensory nerve trunks and functional recovery measured by motor nerve conduction velocity. Toxicological testing of leupeptin showed that, when administered at a dose of 12 mg/kg, intramuscularly, once daily, haematological and clotting profiles were not adversely affected.