RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess local effect of celecoxib on nerve regeneration in a rat sciatic nerve transection model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five male healthy white Wistar rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups (n equal to 15 for each): sham-operation (SHAM), control (SIL) and celecoxib treated (SIL/CLX) groups. In SHAM group after anesthesia left sciatic nerve was exposed and after homeostasis muscle was sutured. In SIL group the left sciatic nerve was exposed in the same way and transected proximal to tibioperoneal bifurcation leaving a 10 mm gap. Proximal and distal stumps were each inserted into a silicone tube and filled with 10 microlitre phosphate buffered solution. In SIL/CLX group defect was bridged using a silicone tube filled with 10 microlitre celecoxib (0.1 g/L).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Functional study and gastrocnemius muscle mass confirmed faster and better recovery of regenerated axons in SIL/CLX than in SIL group (P less than 0.05). Morphometric indices of regenerated fibers showed number and diameter of the myelinated fibers in SIL/CLX were significantly greater than those in control group. In immunohistochemistry, location of reactions to S-100 in SIL/CLX was clearly more positive than that in SIL group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Response to local treatment of celecoxib demonstrates that it influences and improves functional recovery of peripheral nerve regeneration.</p>