Effects of intrathecal administration of FK506 after sciatic nerve crush injury

J Reconstr Microsurg. 2006 Nov;22(8):649-54. doi: 10.1055/s-2006-956239.

Abstract

Although various administration routes of FK506 have been published, intrathecal administration of FK506 has not previously been reported in the literature. A daily dose of 0.05 mg/kg of FK506 was given (a small dose compared with those reported in the available literature). The authors used this small dose to obtain lower immunosuppression and neurotoxicity, and a higher axonal regeneration rate. A total number of 40 female Wistar rats were used and randomly divided into four groups: control, sham, FK506-treated, and vehicle-treated. Sciatic nerve regeneration was evaluated by walking track analysis, an electrostimulation test, and light microscopic evaluation. There was a statistically significant difference ( P < 0.05) between FK506-treated and vehicle-treated groups at the end of 6 weeks according to both the walking track analysis and the electrostimulation test. Comparing the stimulus thresholds of the sham and FK506-treated group, no significant difference ( P > 0.05) was observed. Evaluation of the data revealed that FK506 had a beneficial effect on sciatic nerve regeneration.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axons / drug effects
  • Axons / physiology
  • Female
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Injections, Spinal
  • Nerve Regeneration / drug effects*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Sciatic Nerve / drug effects
  • Sciatic Nerve / injuries
  • Sciatic Nerve / metabolism
  • Tacrolimus / administration & dosage*
  • Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Tacrolimus