Abstract

AIM: One of the major injuries of the nervous system is that of peripheral nerves. Although peripheral nerves show some capacity of regeneration after injury, the extent of regeneration is not remarkable. The present study aimed to evaluate the regeneration of the transected sciatic nerve by biodegradable membrane and betamethasone in rats. MATERIAL and METHODS: Twenty-eight adult male rats were divided into four equal groups including 1. Control group (Ctrl); 2. Betamethasone group (Beta); 3. Membrane group (Mem); 4. Membrane and Betamethasone group (Mem-Beta). Functional recovery was evaluated at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks post-surgery. At 8 weeks after surgery, electromyographical (EMG) and histological assessments were performed. RESULTS: Eight weeks after surgery, sciatic functional index (SFI) and withdrawal reflex latency (WRL) reaction time were decreased significantly (p<0.05) in the Mem+Beta group as compared to the control, beta and Mem groups respectively. The EMG test latency and amplitude of impulses improved in the Mem+Beta group compared to the other groups (p<0.05). Histological assessments performed at 8 weeks after surgery showed a significant increase in the number of nerve fibers, diameter of nerve fibers and myelin thickness in the Mem+Beta group as compared to the Ctrl, Beta and Mem groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Chitosan membrane together with betamethasone has positive effects on nerve regeneration of the transected sciatic nerve in a rat model.