ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:Previous studies have found that cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) can promote the regeneration after sciatic nerve injury in rats, but the exact mechanism remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To screen effective indicators and analyze the mechanism of CCK-8 promoting sciatic nerve regeneration from the perspective of nerve growth factor and nerve regeneration microenvironment. METHODS:Healthy Sprague-Dawley rats, for the preparation of unilateral sciatic nerve transection injury model, were randomly divided into two groups. In the CCK-8 group, the animal model received intraperitoneal injection of CCK-8 (8 nmol/kg) for consecutive 7 days, while the control group was injected with equal volume of normal saline. The nerve growth factor expression, inducible nitric oxide synthase in the spinal cord, serum superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde concentration, as wel as apoptotic cel s in spinal cord were al detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the CCK-8 group, nerve growth factor expression was higher than that in the control group (P<0.01), while inducible nitric oxide synthase and the number of apoptotic cel s were lower (P<0.01), serum superoxide dismutase activity was higher but malondialdehyde concentrations was lower (P<0.01, 0.05). The mechanisms of CCK-8 promoting sciatic nerve regeneration include protecting neurons, anti-apoptosis, inhibiting inflammatory response, anti-NO and anti-oxidation, reducing malondialdehyde, and al eviating free radical damage, as wel as stimulating nerve growth factor expression and release.