ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF NAFTIDROFURYL ON SKELETAL-MUSCLE REINNERVATION IN THE RAT

The effects of naftidrofuryl on the reinnervation of the rat gastrocne mius muscle after its denervation by localized freezing of the sciatic nerve were tested with electrophysiological techniques. Daily intrape ritoneal injections of 30mg/kg of naftidrofuryl do not increase the ra te of axonal regeneration since early signs of reinnervation appeared as in controls around the 10th day after surgery. However, axonal spro uting is markedly increased since the percentage of muscle fibers with polyneuronal innervations was almost twice as high as in controls at the 15 and 21 day postoperative stages. The promoting effects of nafti drofuryl on polyneuronal innervation which gives rise to a redundant i nnervation during the first period of reinnervation constitutes an imp rovement of motor function which might be efficient for treatment of n erve injury and neuropathies. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.