Histomorphological and functional impacts of postoperative motor training in rats after allograft sciatic nerve transplantation under low-dose FK 506.

This study aimed to determine the effect of motor training on recovery after nerve transplantation under low-dose FK 506. Rats (n=30) of two strains were randomly assigned to three groups. Group I served as untreated controls; groups II and III received allograft transplants for reconstruction of the sciatic nerve and FK 506 (0.1 mg/kg/d). Nonoperated limbs served as intra-animal controls. Group III received postoperative motor training. Functional and histomorphological outcomes were assessed by walking track analysis and by blob analysis for myelinization of nerve sections. Regeneration occurred in both groups II and III. The control sections of the nonoperated limbs in group III showed significantly higher myelinization compared with group I and II; regeneration of the operated side was superior in group II. With regard to postoperative motor training, no benefit could be seen; however, the impact of postoperative motor training on the nonoperated limb were identified.