Healing Effect of Lamotrigine on Repair of Damaged Sciatic Nerve in Rabbit

Abstract

Jazayeri-Shooshtari, S.M., Namdar, Z., Owji, S.M., Mehrabani, D., Mohammadi-Samani, S., Tanideh, N., Alizadeh, A.A., Namazi, H., Amanollahi, A., Rajaee, Z. and Bidaki, L. 2009. Healing effect of lamotrigine on repair of damaged sciatic nerve in rabbit. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 243–249. To determine the effect of lamotrigine, an antiepileptic drug, on sciatic nerve regeneration and repair, 30 male white 2000±100 g New Zealand rabbits were divided into two equal groups of case and control. The right sciatic nerve of all animals was transected in the mid-thigh region and was sutured immediately. In the case group, lamotrigine was implanted at the site of nerve but the control group received nothing. Each group was divided into 3 equal subgroups. The subgroups A, B and C were sacrificed after 14, 45 and 90 d post-operation, respectively. Electromyographic and histopathological examinations were carried out for each animal. Histological study revealed a significant prominent repair and proliferation of Schwann cells in the case group after 14 and 45 d and a relatively complete repair after 90 d post-operation. As lamotrigine could enhance the proliferation of Schwann cells, it played an important role in the regeneration of the injured sciatic nerve.