Tunç Erdinç, Bora Ejder Saylav, Erbaş Oytun
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Biruni University, 34015 Istanbul, Türkiye.
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Izmir Katip Çelebi University, 35620 Izmir, Türkiye.
Medicina (Kaunas). 2025 Mar 28;61(4):624. doi: 10.3390/medicina61040624.
Peripheral nerve injuries often result in significant functional impairment, and complete recovery remains challenging despite surgical interventions. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) has shown promise in nerve repair by facilitating axonal fusion and inhibiting Wallerian degeneration. This study investigates the biochemical, histopathological, and electrophysiological effects of PEG 3350 in a sciatic nerve injury model. : Thirty adult male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: a control group, a surgery and saline group, and a surgery and PEG 3350 treatment group. Sciatic nerve transection was performed, and PEG 3350 was administered intraperitoneally for 12 weeks. Electromyography (EMG) and the inclined plane test assessed functional recovery. Sciatic nerve tissues were analyzed histologically and biochemically, including nerve growth factor (NGF), heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. : PEG 3350 significantly improved electrophysiological parameters, reducing compound muscle action potential (CMAP) latency and increasing CMAP amplitude compared to the saline group ( < 0.05). Functional recovery, assessed by the inclined plane test, showed a significant improvement in the PEG-treated group ( < 0.01). Biochemical analysis revealed increased NGF and HSP-70 levels, suggesting enhanced neuroprotection and regeneration. Histopathological analysis demonstrated reduced fibrosis and increased axonal density in the PEG group compared to controls. PEG 3350 enhances nerve regeneration by improving electrophysiological function, promoting axonal repair, and increasing neurotrophic factor expression. : These findings suggest PEG as a potential adjunct therapy for peripheral nerve injuries. Future research should explore the optimal administration protocols and combined therapeutic strategies for maximizing recovery.
周围神经损伤常导致严重的功能障碍，尽管进行了手术干预，但完全恢复仍具有挑战性。聚乙二醇（PEG）已显示出通过促进轴突融合和抑制沃勒变性在神经修复方面的潜力。本研究调查了PEG 3350在坐骨神经损伤模型中的生化、组织病理学和电生理效应。：将30只成年雄性Wistar大鼠分为三组：对照组、手术加生理盐水组和手术加PEG 3350治疗组。进行坐骨神经横断，并腹腔注射PEG 3350，持续12周。通过肌电图（EMG）和斜面试验评估功能恢复情况。对坐骨神经组织进行组织学和生化分析，包括神经生长因子（NGF）、热休克蛋白70（HSP - 70）和丙二醛（MDA）水平。：与生理盐水组相比，PEG 3350显著改善了电生理参数，缩短了复合肌肉动作电位（CMAP）潜伏期并增加了CMAP波幅（<0.05）。通过斜面试验评估的功能恢复情况显示，PEG治疗组有显著改善（<0.01）。生化分析显示NGF和HSP - 70水平升高，表明神经保护和再生增强。组织病理学分析表明，与对照组相比，PEG组的纤维化减少，轴突密度增加。PEG 3350通过改善电生理功能、促进轴突修复和增加神经营养因子表达来增强神经再生。：这些发现表明PEG作为周围神经损伤的潜在辅助治疗方法。未来的研究应探索最佳给药方案和联合治疗策略，以最大限度地促进恢复。
