Boosted Regeneration and Reduced Denervated Muscle Atrophy by NeuroHeal in a Pre-clinical Model of Lumbar Root Avulsion with Delayed Reimplantation

Sci Rep. 2017 Sep 20;7(1):12028. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-11086-3.

Abstract

The "gold standard" treatment of patients with spinal root injuries consists of delayed surgical reconnection of nerves. The sooner, the better, but problems such as injury-induced motor neuronal death and muscle atrophy due to long-term denervation mean that normal movement is not restored. Herein we describe a preclinical model of root avulsion with delayed reimplantation of lumbar roots that was used to establish a new adjuvant pharmacological treatment. Chronic treatment (up to 6 months) with NeuroHeal, a new combination drug therapy identified using a systems biology approach, exerted long-lasting neuroprotection, reduced gliosis and matrix proteoglycan content, accelerated nerve regeneration by activating the AKT pathway, promoted the formation of functional neuromuscular junctions, and reduced denervation-induced muscular atrophy. Thus, NeuroHeal is a promising treatment for spinal nerve root injuries and axonal regeneration after trauma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acamprosate / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Combinations
  • Female
  • Lumbar Vertebrae
  • Muscle Denervation
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / surgery
  • Muscular Atrophy / drug therapy*
  • Muscular Atrophy / physiopathology
  • Nerve Regeneration / drug effects*
  • Nerve Regeneration / physiology
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Radiculopathy / drug therapy*
  • Radiculopathy / physiopathology
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Recovery of Function
  • Replantation
  • Ribavirin / pharmacology*
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / drug effects*
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / physiopathology
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / surgery

Substances

  • Drug Combinations
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • acamprosate, ribavirin drug combination
  • Ribavirin
  • Acamprosate