Effects of Topical Cyclosporin A Application on Preventing Epineural Scar Formation in Rats: Experimental Study

The aim of this study is to evaluate macroscopic, histopathologic and immunohistochemical effects of topical cyclosporin administration on prevention of epineural scar formation in rats.This experimental study was performed in two groups, each consisting of ten rats. Sciatic nerve was opened bilaterally. Tibial and peroneal components were set apart with blunt dissection. Abrasion injury was achieved by repetitive rubbing over biceps femoris muscle. In the control group saline sucked cotton peds were administered over opened sciatic nerve region bilaterally, whereas cyclosporin sucked peds were administered in the second group for five minutes duration. Eight weeks after surgery both groups were sacrificed and nerve complexes were evaluated microscopically, histopathologically and immunohistochemically. No side effects were observed after 5 minutes single dose topical cyclosporine administration in our study. Cutaneous, muscular and deep fascial repairment were almost completed according to Petersen’s numerical grading system (p<0.05). Nerve adherence was significantly decreased (p<0.001) in the ones treated with cyclosporin than the control group. FGF expression was demonstrated and individual evaluations of the control and the study groups immunhistochemically. The ratio of fibroblast/fibrosit number showed that both groups results were parallel. Single dose topical cyclosporin administration is shown to be successfull in preventing epineural scar formation after peripheric nerve neurolysis.