RESUMO
Peripheral nerve injury often leads to neuropathic pain. The potential effect of dietary supplementation with fish oil [Omega-3] fatty acids on the injured sciatic nerve was studied in albino rats. 25 adult male albino rats weighing 200g were divided into three groups. Group I consisted of five rats were fed a non purified diet supplemented with olive oil for six weeks, they were used as control group. Group II consisted of ten rats were undergone sciatic nerve crush injury and fed a non purified diet supplemented with olive oil for six weeks, they were used as the injured comparative group. Group III consisted of ten rats were undergone sciatic nerve crush injury and were fed a non purified diet supplemented with [Omega-3] fatty acid enriched fish oil concentrate at a dose of 0.5 g/kg/day for six weeks. Histological study showed partially intact neurolemmal sheath, absence of endoneural oedema and signs of regeneration in group three in contrast with group two in which there were apparent signs of degeneration. This beneficial effect of fish oil on injured sciatic nerve with attenuated histological damage suggested a treatment role for patients suffering from neuropathic pain