The effects on peripheral nerve damage of the application of local and systemic erythropoietin.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the histopathological and biochemical effects of topical and systemic administrations of erythropoietin (EPO) on crush and transection type peripheral nerve injuries in an experimental rat model. METHODS: 128 male Wistar-Albino rats were allocated to 8 groups according to the route of administration of EPO (local/systemic) and type of peripheral nerve injury (crush/transection). groups were compared with respect to histopathological examination and number of axons as well as levels of IL-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-10. RESULTS: Groups receiving EPO either locally or intraperitoneally revealed less scar tissue formation index, lower number of inflammatory cells, reduced number of perineural fibroblasts and increased number of axons (p < 0.001 for all). Levels of IL-1 beta and IL-6 were lower and IL-10 levels were higher in groups receiving EPO locally or intraperitoneally (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Iatrogenic nerve injury has remained an area with few therapeutic options. Our results indicated that local and systemic applications of EPO might have a promising potential therapeutic agent for crush or transection type of peripheral nerve injuries. Dose, route of administration and indications should be elucidated in further prospective, randomized, controlled trials (Tab. 3, Fig. 4, Ref. 32). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.