Abstract
Recent studies have suggested a neuroprotective effect for vitamin B12. The present study investigated the effects of vitamin B12, diclofenac and celecoxib in separate and combined treatments on functional recovery
of crushed tibial nerve in rats. In ketamine plus xylazin anesthetized rats, right
tibial nerve was crushed using a small hemoatatic forceps. Footprints were recorded
1 day before and on days 7, 14 and 21 after induction of nerve injury. Tibial functional
index (TFI) was used to evaluate the recovery of tibial nerve function. Histological
changes of tibial nerve were investigated by light microscopy. The recovery of TFI
values were significantly accelerated with 10 consecutive days treatments with 0.1
and 0.5 mg/kg of vitamin B12, 5 mg/kg of diclofenac and 1 and 5 mg/kg of celecoxib. The severity of Wallerian
degeneration was reduced by above-mentioned doses of vitamin B12, diclofenac and celecoxib. Documented effects were observed when 0.1 mg/kg of vitamin
B12 was concurrently used with 1 mg/kg of diclofenac and or 0.2 mg/kg of celecoxib. In
the present study, vitamin B12, celecoxib and diclofenac (at a high dose) showed neuroprotective effects. Inhibition
of cyclooxygenase (COX) 1 and 2 pathways may be involved in neuroprotective effect
of vitamin B12.
Key words
vitamin B
12
- cyclooxygenase - neuroprotection - peripheral nerve - rats