FUNCTIONAL-EFFECTS OF LYMPHOTOXIN ON CRUSHED PERIPHERAL-NERVE

The effect of lymphotoxin (LT) on the functional recovery of crushed p eripheral nerves was studied. Using a specially designed compression d evice, a 5 mm segment of the right sciatic nerve of rats was subjected to a 100 g crush load with a 2 hr duration. The rats in the experimen tal and control groups received two doses of LT (20 mu g/kg each) or t he same volume of saline, respectively, administered intraperitoneousl y 24 hr and 1 hr before the procedure, Walking track tests and histolo gic examinations were performed at intervals up to 56 days after the c rush, Motor functional recovery in the LT pretreated group started at day 7 while the crushed limb in the control group remained totally dys functional, The sciatic functional index improved faster in the LT gro up than in the control group during the second week after the crush an d reached a significant difference (P < 0.05) at day 18. Subsequently, both groups had a similar evolution, Histologic results paralleled th e functional findings, In conclusion, LT can promote motor functional recovery of crushed rat peripheral nerve in the early stage of regener ation. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.