Functional effects of lymphotoxin on crushed peripheral nerve

The effect of lymphotoxin (LT) on the functional recovery of crushed peripheral nerves was studied. Using a specially designed compression device, a 5 mm segment of the right sciatic nerve of rats was subjected to a 100 g crush load with a 2 hr duration. The rats in the experimental and control groups received two doses of LT (20 micrograms/kg each) or the same volume of saline, respectively, administered intraperitoneously 24 hr and 1 hr before the procedure. Walking track tests and histologic examinations were performed at intervals up to 56 days after the crush. Motor functional recovery in the LT pretreated group started at day 7 while the crushed limb in the control group remained totally dysfunctional. The sciatic functional index improved faster in the LT group than in the control group during the second week after the crush and reached a significant difference (P < 0.05) at day 18. Subsequently, both groups had a similar evolution. Histologic results paralleled the functional findings. In conclusion, LT can promote motor functional recovery of crushed rat peripheral nerve in the early stage of regeneration.