Effect of FK506 administration after obturator nerve injury: a functional and ultrastructural study

The frequency of obturator nerve damage due to pelvic diseases, fractures or gynecologic procedures is uncertain. In the present study, we investigated the effect of FK506, a potent macrolide antibiotic and immunosuppresant, on obturator nerve recovery at morphological and functional levels. Forty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (control, sham, FK506-treated, vehicle-treated). In half of animals (FK506-treated and vehicle-treated) an obturator nerve crush (30 seconds clamp) was created. In FK506-treated group FK506 administration (1 mg/kg/day, subcutaneously) was performed on each postoperative day. All the rats were functionally evaluated by pinch and adduction tests preoperatively and postoperatively at one, two, three and four weeks after nerve injury. On the 28th postoperative day obturator nerve samples were collected and analyzed qualitatively by light and electron microscopy. FK506 treatment resulted in dramatic improvement in nerve function and in the ultrastructure of nerve fibers suggesting its therapeutic potential in traumatic obturator nerve injury.