Effects of deoxycorticosterone acetate on regeneration of axons in the mammalian central nervous system

Abstract

In a series of experiments normal, nude, and adrenalectomized normal mice had the proximal cut end of a peripheral nerve inserted into the cerebrum, and another group of normal mice were given a cerebral lesion. All these animals were treated with desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) at a dose of 100 mg/kg body wt/day. Control groups consisted of untreated nude and normal mice given a peripheral implant and untreated normal mice given a cerebral knife lesion. Although some successful growth of peripheral nerves into cerebral tissue was observed, this was not enhanced in the DOCA-treated mice. Similarly, compared with control normal mice, no improved penetration was seen in treated or untreated nude mice, or in treated adrenalectomized normal mice. Treatment with DOCA did not improve axonal regeneration across a cerebral knife lesion. Thus, it is concluded that large doses of DOCA are incapable of producing improved axonal regeneration in the mouse central nervous system.