Ting Rao - Department of Urology People Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan City Hu Bei Province, People’s Republic of China
Fei Wu - Department of Hand surgery and Microsurgery Pu Ai Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan City, Hu Bei Province People’s Republic of China
Danmou Xing - Department of Hand surgery and Microsurgery Pu Ai Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan City, Hu Bei Province People’s Republic of China
Zhengren Peng - Department of Hand surgery and Microsurgery Pu Ai Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan City, Hu Bei Province People’s Republic of China
Dong Ren - Department of Hand surgery and Microsurgery Pu Ai Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan City, Hu Bei Province People’s Republic of China
Wei Feng - Department of Hand surgery and Microsurgery Pu Ai Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan City, Hu Bei Province People’s Republic of China
Yan Chen - Department of Hand surgery and Microsurgery Pu Ai Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan City, Hu Bei Province People’s Republic of China
Zhiming Zhao - Department of Hand surgery and Microsurgery Pu Ai Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan City, Hu Bei Province People’s Republic of China
Huan Wang - Department of Hand surgery and Microsurgery Pu Ai Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan City, Hu Bei Province People’s Republic of China
Junweng Wang - Department of Hand surgery and Microsurgery Pu Ai Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan City, Hu Bei Province People’s Republic of China
Wusheng Kan - Department of Hand surgery and Microsurgery Pu Ai Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan City, Hu Bei Province People’s Republic of China
Qingsong Zhang - Department of Hand surgery and Microsurgery Pu Ai Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan City, Hu Bei Province People’s Republic of China

Background:   Valproic acid (VPA) is used to be an effective anti-epileptic drug and mood stabilizer. It has recently been demonstrated that VPA could promote neurite outgrowth, activate the extracellular signal regulated kinase pathway, and increases bcl-۲ and growth cone-associated protein ۴۳ levels in spinal cord. In the present research we demonstrate the effect of VPA on peripheral nerve regeneration and recovery of motor function following sciatic nerve transaction in rats. Methods:   The rats in VPA group and control group were administered with valproic acid (۳۰۰mg/kg) and sodium chloride respectively after operation. Each animal was observed sciatic nerve index (SFI) at ۲-week intervals and studied electrophysiology at ۴-week intervals for ۱۲ weeks. Histological and morphometrical analyses were performed ۱۲ weeks after operation. Using the digital image-analysis system, thickness of the myelin sheath was measured, and total numbers of regenerated axons were counted. Results:   There was a significant difference in SFI, electrophysiological index (motor-nerve conduct velocity), and morphometrical results (regenerated axon number and thickness of myelin sheath) in nerve regeneration between the VPA group and controls (   P<۰.۰۵). Conclusions:   The results demonstrated that VPA is able to enhance sciatic nerve regeneration in rats, suggesting the potential clinical application of VPA for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury in humans.

Bcl-۲, Growth cone-associated protein ۴۳, Myelin, Rat, Sciatic nerve index, Valproic acid