Effects of Citicoline and Atorvastatin Administration on the Regenerative Capacity of the Distal Segment of the Transected Sciatic Nerve in Conditions of Delayed Nerve Repair

Abstract

Introduction: The reduced organ function following delayed nerve repair highlights the need for pharmacological interventions. In this regard, many chemical agents have been administered after nerve injury; however, their functional outcomes are not satisfying yet. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of the administration of citicoline and atorvastatin on the regenerative capacity of the distal end of the transected sciatic nerve throughout a delayed nerve repair period. Method: The sciatic nerve of male rats (250-300 g) was transected, and the animals were intraperitoneally administrated citicoline (200 mg/kg, n=5), atorvastatin (5 mg/kg, n=5), citicoline + atorvastatin, and vehicles (control groups 1 and 2, n=5) for one month. In the sham group (n=5), the sciatic nerve was only exposed. After one month, the transected nerve was repaired. Fourteen weeks after surgical repair, morphometric and electron microscopic evaluations were performed on the nerve. Results: In the present study, improvement in the structural (fiber diameter, axon diameter, and myelin thickness, etc.) and ultrastructural (degree of myelin destruction) indices of the distal segment of the nerve was observed in the citicoline and atorvastatin groups compared to the control groups (P< 0.01). In addition, the nerve structural and ultrastructural indices in the citicoline + atorvastatin group were better than each citicoline and atorvastatin group. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the administration of citicoline and atorvastatin leads to maintaining the regeneration capacity of the distal part of the nerve in the condition of delayed nerve repair