Comparison of the effectiveness of rapamycin and gabapentin treatment in rats with induced sciatic nerve injury

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the therapeutic effects of gabapentin (GBP) and different doses of rapamycin (RAPA) in an induced sciatic nerve (SN)-injury rat model. Materials and Methods: The study consisted of 7 groups: Control, Sham, High-dose rapamycin (RAPA-H), Low-dose rapamycin (RAPA-L), GBP, DMSO and DMSO+nerve injury (DMSO+NI). Medical treatment was administered intraperitoneally for 30 days after the induction of SN injury. Results: Significant differences (p<0.001 for all) were found in comparisons between the groups in terms of axon diameter, axon number, and neurofilament (NF) and S100 immunointensity. Among the treatment groups, the highest mean axon diameter value, close to that of the Control group, was seen in the RAPA-L group. In terms of axon number, the value closest to that of the Control group was measured in the GBP group. The NF and S100 immunodensity in the RAPA-L group was similar to that of the GBP group. The S100 immunodensity in the RAPA-L group was closest to that of the Control group. The highest conduction velocity and distal latency values were recorded in the RAPA-L group. Conclusion: The histological and electrophysiological findings observed in this study suggest that RAPA-L treatment is a promising alternative to GBP.