alpha-lipoic acid loaded in chitosan conduit enhances sciatic nerve regeneration in rat

objective(s): to investigate the effect of topical administration of alpha-lipoic acid into chitosan conduit on peripheral nerve regeneration using a rat sciatic nerve transection model. materials and methods: forty five wistar rats were divided into three experimental groups randomly. a 10-mm gap of sciatic nerve was bridged with a chitosan conduit following surgical preparation and anesthesia. in treatment group, the conduit was filled with 30 µl alpha-lipoic acid (10 mg/kg/bw).it was filled with 30 µl phosphate buffered saline solution in control group. in sham group sciatic nerve was just exposed. results: the recovery of nerve function was faster in treatment group than in control, at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery (p-value<0.05). conduction velocity was better in treatment group than in control group at 4 and 12 weeks (p-value<0.05). recovery index was higher in treatment group than the control group, 8 weeks after surgery (p-value <0.05). greater nerve fiber diameter, axon diameter, and myelin sheath thickness were observed in treatment group compared to control group at 8 and 12 weeks after surgery (p-value<0.05). the immunoreactivity of regenerated axons and myelin sheath in treatment group were far more similar to sham group. conclusion: alpha-lipoic acid when loaded in a chitosan conduit could improve transected sciatic nerve regeneration in rat.