Abstract PR335

Abstract

Background & Objectives: Peripheral nerve injury is a challenging clinical problem with unsatisfactory treatment options. In this study, we try to search the histopathological effectiveness of the systemic ozone on nerve regeneration as a new promising adjuvant agent in various diseases (1,2). Materials & Methods: After the ethics committe approval, forthy rats were randomly assigned into four groups; 10 rats included in ozone group (G1), 10 rats included in methylprednisolone group (G2); 10 rats included in methylprednisolone+ozone group (G3). 10 rats were included in control group for 1 mL saline injections (G4). After preoperative physical examination all animals were deeply anesthetized and right sciatic nerve exposed with mid-thigh incision. Sciatic nerve was injured with a non-serrated clamp for 30 s. Before the wound suturated the compression site was marked with a muscle suture for pathological investigation. Than systemic drug injections were started once a day intraperitoneally according to the groups. Ozone was administered 20 mcg.1mL in G1, methylprednisolone was administered 2mg.kg-1 in G2, both drugs with same doses administered in seperate syringes in G3. Drug injections continue for 14 days. During the study period motor functions were assessed every day. At the end of the study, animals were euthanized and sciatic nerves were excised for histopathological assessment with H&E staining. Results: Marked cellular degeneration, intraneural and perineural inflammation were observed in control group. And the histopathological findings were not different between control and ozone groups. Systemic ozone administration did not support cellular healing. In methylprednisolone group, mild degeneration and minimal inflammatory changes were observed. In group 3; mild-moderate degeneration findings and mild-moderate inflammatory changes were identified. These results reported that systemic medical ozone had no therapeutic or any beneficial effects on traumatic nerve injury. Conclusion: The present study showed that steroids have beneficial effects on sciatic nerve compression injury. But it was observed that systemic medical ozone had no therapeutic or any beneficial effects on traumatic nerve injury.