Miconazole enhances nerve regeneration and functional recovery after sciatic nerve crush injury

• Published in: Muscle & nerve 2018-05, Vol.57 (5), p.821-828
• Main Authors: Lin, Tao, Qiu, Shuai, Yan, Liwei, Zhu, Shuang, Zheng, Canbin, Zhu, Qingtang, Liu, Xiaolin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antifungal agents; Cell proliferation; Central nervous system; Crushing; Injuries; Miconazole; Muscles; Myelination; Nerve conduction; nerve crush injury; nerve regeneration functional recovery; neurotrophin expression; rat model; Rats; Recovery; Recovery (Medical); Recovery of function; Regeneration; Regrowth; Rodents; Schwann cells; Sciatic nerve; Sensory neurons; Western blotting
• ISSN: 0148-639X; 1097-4598
• DOI: 10.1002/mus.26033

ABSTRACT Introduction: Improving axonal outgrowth and remyelination is crucial for peripheral nerve regeneration. Miconazole appears to enhance remyelination in the central nervous system. In this study we assess the effect of miconazole on axonal regeneration using a sciatic nerve crush injury model in rats. Methods: Fifty Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into control and miconazole groups. Nerve regeneration and myelination were determined using histological and electrophysiological assessment. Evaluation of sensory and motor recovery was performed using the pinprick assay and sciatic functional index. The Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay and Western blotting were used to assess the proliferation and neurotrophic expression of RSC 96 Schwann cells. Results: Miconazole promoted axonal regrowth, increased myelinated nerve fibers, improved sensory recovery and walking behavior, enhanced stimulated amplitude and nerve conduction velocity, and elevated proliferation and neurotrophic expression of RSC 96 Schwann cells. Discussion: Miconazole was beneficial for nerve regeneration and functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury. Muscle Nerve 57: 821–828, 2018