Effects of peripheral nerve ischemia-reperfusion model on serum cytokine levels

Although the neuropathology of ischemic nerve fiber degeneration is relatively well known, its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Local cytokines, which have neuroprotective effects on inflammation and repair, participate in the process by undefined mechanisms. In this study, we evaluated the effects of ischemia and reperfusion on the sciatic nerve of the rat and investigated the probable effects of cytokines on this period.

In the current study, ischemia and reperfusion injury of sciatic nerve was rendered by clamping the femoral artery and vein of the rat for three hours and was followed by varying durations of reperfusion. Activin A, TGF Beta1 and TGF, Beta2 levels were measured in serum samples.

TGF Beta1 and Activin A were found to be increased in the ischemic groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). A significant difference was found between the experimental groups after reperfusion (p < 0.05). There was no statistical significance for TGF Beta2 levels between the study groups (p > 0.05).

Ischemia causes some important changes in biochemical parameters, and nerve injury continues for a while according to the reperfusion time. Ischemia-reperfusion injury of peripheral nerves caused by various reasons therefore affects the levels of cytokines.