ABSTRACT
Botulinum toxin prevents acetylcholine release at motor nerve terminals. Group B vitamins (B-vit) are essential for proper nerve function. The present study addresses the question of whether B-vit accelerate recovery in rat skeletal muscle after botulinum toxin A (Btx-A) injection. Forty-four adult male Wistar albino rats were used in this experimental study. Rats were divided into three groups: group 1 rats were given Btx-A injection only, group 2 rats were given B-vit supplementation before Btx-A injection, and group 3 rats were given Btx-A and B-vit injections together. During the experiment, compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of the gastrocnemius muscle was recorded before Btx-A injection and sequentially ten times after toxin injection. The statistical significance of the CMAP amplitude change among the groups was analyzed. All groups showed similar amplitude change between consecutive measurement points. In conclusion, combining Btx-A injection with B-vit supplement does not decrease the efficacy of the toxin.
Subject(s)
Botulinum Toxins, Type A/pharmacology , Muscle, Skeletal/drug effects , Muscle, Skeletal/physiology , Neuromuscular Agents/pharmacology , Vitamin B Complex/pharmacology , Action Potentials , Animals , Drug Interactions , Male , Rats , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
Ischiatic, femoral and tibial nerves are commonly utilized in the studies of peripheral nerve surgery in rats. The authors present a new nerve-muscle unit model in which the nerve is distal enough to minimize morbidity and the muscle is convenient for all electromyographic studies. Twenty-five Wistar-Albino rats were used. In the control group; normal electromyography and histology were demonstrated in the lateral tibial nerve (LTN) and in the flexor digiti quinti brevis (FDQB) muscle. In experimental group I; a 0.5 cm nerve gap was made in the LT nerve and the proximal end was buried in the muscle in order to prevent reinnervation. In experimental group II, the LTN was cut and repaired primarily. In both groups I and II, electromyographic and histologic studies were performed at 6 and 12 weeks. In study group I, atrophic and degenerative findings were observed and in study group II, only regenerative findings were observed. The authors concluded that the LT nerve-FDQB muscle unit is a convenient model for peripheral nerve studies, with the advantages of easy dissection, wide exposure, and minimal morbidity. This model is also convenient for electromyographic and histologic evaluation.
