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Published on: May 17, 2024
Effects of α-MSH on ischemia/reperfusion injury in the rat sciatic nerve
Erhan Turkoglu1, Gökhan Serbes, Habibullah Dolgun
1Ministry of Health Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Research and Educational Hospital 1 Neurosurgery Clinic, 06610, Ankara, Turkey.
Background:
Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) causes the production of toxic free radicals and leads to pathological changes in nerve tissue. We investigated the effect of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) in a rat model for sciatic nerve I/R and discuss the possible cytoprotective and antioxidant mechanism of α-MSH against ischemic fiber degeneration.
Methods:
Experiments were performed using 42 adult male Wistar rats. Rats were divided into six experimental groups: control group, ischemia group, I/R groups, and α-MSH treated groups. Ischemia was produced by clamping of the femoral vessels. Immediately after ischemia that lasted 3 h, 75 μg/kg of α-MSH was administered subcutaneously before reperfusion and the tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) level was evaluated as an indicator of lipid peroxidation in groups with different reperfusion periods.
Results:
The reperfusion injury did not begin in the first hour of reperfusion after 3 h of ischemia, and MDA levels increased on the first day of reperfusion. During the first day, blood MDA levels were decreased in the α-MSH group compared to the control group. The tissue from animals pre-treated with α-MSH showed fewer morphological alterations. Myelin breakdown was significantly diminished after treatment with α-MSH, and the ultrastructural features of axons showed remarkable improvement. Two-way analysis of variance was used for comparing three or more groups. When a significant difference existed, the post-hoc multiple-comparison test was applied to demonstrate the differences.
Conclusions:
The results confirm that pre-treatment with α-MSH after ischemia protected the peripheral nerves against I/R injury.
Insights
Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) pre-treatment protects peripheral nerves from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. This study shows α-MSH reduces oxidative stress and preserves nerve tissue integrity following I/R in a rat model.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Pathology
Background:
- Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) induces oxidative stress and nerve damage.
- Investigating the protective effects of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) against sciatic nerve I/R injury.
- Exploring the cytoprotective and antioxidant mechanisms of α-MSH.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of α-MSH in mitigating I/R-induced peripheral nerve damage.
- To assess the impact of α-MSH on oxidative stress markers and nerve morphology post-ischemia.
- To elucidate the protective role of α-MSH in a rat sciatic nerve I/R model.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a rat model with 3-hour sciatic nerve ischemia induced by femoral vessel clamping.
- Administered 75 μg/kg α-MSH subcutaneously prior to reperfusion in experimental groups.
- Measured malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as an indicator of lipid peroxidation and assessed nerve tissue morphology and ultrastructure.
Main Results:
- MDA levels, a marker of lipid peroxidation, increased on the first day of reperfusion but were reduced in α-MSH treated groups.
- α-MSH pre-treatment significantly diminished myelin breakdown and improved axonal ultrastructural integrity.
- Reperfusion injury onset was observed after the first hour of reperfusion.
Conclusions:
- Pre-treatment with α-MSH effectively protects peripheral nerves against ischemia/reperfusion injury.
- α-MSH demonstrates significant cytoprotective and antioxidant properties in the context of nerve I/R.
- The findings support α-MSH as a potential therapeutic agent for nerve injury associated with I/R events.