The effectiveness of N-asetil sistein at the peripheric nerve

SUMMARY Background and aim: Oxidative stress has been implicated as an important factor in many diseases. We aimed to investigate the potential effects of N- acetyl cysteine, a well known antioxidant, on neuronal healing by electrophysiological means. Materials and methods: We studied 28 male wistar rats weighing between 200 and 250 grams. We randomly assigned them into 4 equal groups as followed: Group I SHAM (n=8): Surgery performed without crushing nerve injury Group II SALINE (n=8): An intraperitoneal irrigation with saline solution (1 ml) was conducted immediately and on the following 7 days after crushing nerve injury Group III NACİ (n=8) : An intraperitoneal injection of NAC (30 mg=0.3 ml) was conducted immediately and on the following 7 days after crushing nerve injury Group IV NACII (n=8): An intraperitoneal injection of NAC (30 mg=0.3 ml) was conducted during the operation (100 mg=1 ml), immediately (30 mg=0.3 ml) and on the following 7 days (30mg=0.3 ml) after crushing nerve injury. The crushing nerve injury was created by compression of sciatic nerve with aneurysm clip at the level of proximal 1/3 part of femur for 2 minutes. Results: The results of histopathologic and electrophysiological analysis was normal in SHAM group. Electrophysiological findings compatible with accelerated neuronal regeneration and decreased neuronal death were more common in NACİ and NACII groups than SALINE group. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the therapeutic effects of N- Acetyl cysteine on neural healing was observed by electrophysiological findings, as proposed in literature previously. N-acetylcysteine may be a potential agent to be used after peripheral nerve injuries by local or systemic routes. 51