ABSTRACT
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone [GnRH] has neuromodulatory roles in central and peripheral nervous systems. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of GnRH analog [buserelin] on peripheral nerve regeneration. Forty adult male rats were divided into buserelin-treated, normal saline, sham surgery, and castrated + buserelin groups. The left sciatic nerve was crushed by a fine forceps and all animals were evaluated by sciatic functional index [SFI], electrophysiology, histology and immunohistochemistry testing. On post operation days 21 and 28, the difference between buserelin and normal saline groups was statistically significant [P<0.05], but no significant difference was found between the buserelin and castrated + buserelin groups[P>0.05]. At the 28th day after operation, the diameters [microm] of the regenerated myelinated fibers of the buserelin group were significantly greater than those of the normal saline group [P<0.05]. Although nerve conduction velocity [NCV] of the buserelin group was faster than the normal saline group, the difference was not statistically significant. The present study suggests that buserelin treatment might accelerate peripheral nerve regeneration