Regeneration of peripheral nerves after clenbuterol treatment in a rat model

Clenbuterol is known to act as a neuroprotective substance in the central n ervous system, and also reduces muscle atrophy after denervation. The aim o f this study was to evaluate its influence on peripheral nerve regeneration . The rat sciatic nerve model was used in four groups (n = 8 per group). Af ter complete nerve transection and microsurgical coaptation, two groups rec eived a daily oral dose of 100 mug/kg clenbuterol and two served as control s. Regeneration was assessed clinically, histologically, and morphometrical ly after 4 and 6 weeks. The weight ratios of calf muscles were calculated. Histological examination showed significantly increased axon counts in the clenbuterol group and a better degree of myelination. Muscle weight ratios of the clenbuterol group were significantly increased after 6 weeks, and th e animals showed improved function of the hindlimb. Thus, therapy with 100 mug/kg clenbuterol daily after coaptation of a sciatic nerve showed a posit ive influence on clinical, histological, and morphometrical parameters in t he rat model. The underlying mechanism remains unclear. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.