The double-edged sword: effects of pregabalin on experimentally induced sciatic nerve transection and crush injury in rats

Aim: The aim of this study was to research the effects of pregabalin on experimentally induced peripheral nerve crush injuries in rats. Material and method: Forty-two adult female Wistar albino rats were divided into seven groups: 1st group: healthy; 2nd group: axonotmesis control; 3rd group: anastomosis control; 4th group: axonotmesis+30mg/kg of pregabalin; 5th group: axonotmesis+60 mg/kg of pregabalin; 6th group: anastomosis+30mg/kg of pregabalin; 7th group: anastomosis+60 mg/kg of pregabalin. Evaluation of the sciatic functional index (SFI) was performed one day before and on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 following surgery. The right sciatic nerves of all animals were examined histopathologically and molecularly. Results: After 28days post-injury, the histopathological regeneration in peripheral nerve injuries for pregabalin 30mg/kg treated groups was significantly better than that of the control groups. Also the SFI increases and TGF-beta gene expression up-regulation were significantly better in pregabalin 30mg/kg treated groups. Conclusion: The histopathological, functional and molecular data suggest that pregabalin 30mg/kg treatment in axonotmesis and anostomosis groups improves nerve regeneration and increases SFI in peripheral nerve injuries by activating antiinflammatory cytokine TGF-beta 1.