BACKGROUND: This study investigates the effects of rosiglitazone (a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma) on the histological parameters of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and the recovery potential of the injured sciatic nerve in rats using stereological methods. METHODS: The rats were divided into four groups including control, sham-operated, sciatic nerve crush (SNC), and SNC + rosiglitazone treatment (5 mg/kg body weight/day). The sciatic functional index (SFI) was used to evaluate functional recovery. The main DRG neurons were defined as either A cells (the larger cell with a central nucleolus in the nucleus and granulated cytoplasm) or B cells (the smaller cell with multiple peripherally located nucleoli and homogenous cytoplasm). Satellite cells (supporting) surround the neuron cell body. RESULTS: The volume and surface of A and B cells decreased in the SNC group compared to the sham-operated group. In the SNC + rosiglitazone group, the volume of A and B cells decreased to a lesser extent, and was 30% and 48% higher in comparison with the SCN group. In the SNC + rosiglitazone rats the surface of the A and B cells decreased to a minor extent, and was 45% and 21% higher in comparison with the SNC animals. In rosiglitazone-treated rats the number of the A, B, and satellite cells decreased less, and was 38%, 34%, and 29% higher than in the SNC rats. The SFI score improved in SNC + rosiglitazone rats in comparison with non-treated animals. CONCLUSION: Rosiglitazone has an ameliorative effect on the DRG and enhances the functional recovery after SNC in rats.
BACKGROUND: This study investigates the effects of rosiglitazone (a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma) on the histological parameters of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and the recovery potential of the injured sciatic nerve in rats using stereological methods. METHODS: The rats were divided into four groups including control, sham-operated, sciatic nerve crush (SNC), and SNC + rosiglitazone treatment (5 mg/kg body weight/day). The sciatic functional index (SFI) was used to evaluate functional recovery. The main DRG neurons were defined as either A cells (the larger cell with a central nucleolus in the nucleus and granulated cytoplasm) or B cells (the smaller cell with multiple peripherally located nucleoli and homogenous cytoplasm). Satellite cells (supporting) surround the neuron cell body. RESULTS: The volume and surface of A and B cells decreased in the SNC group compared to the sham-operated group. In the SNC + rosiglitazone group, the volume of A and B cells decreased to a lesser extent, and was 30% and 48% higher in comparison with the SCN group. In the SNC + rosiglitazonerats the surface of the A and B cells decreased to a minor extent, and was 45% and 21% higher in comparison with the SNC animals. In rosiglitazone-treated rats the number of the A, B, and satellite cells decreased less, and was 38%, 34%, and 29% higher than in the SNC rats. The SFI score improved in SNC + rosiglitazonerats in comparison with non-treated animals. CONCLUSION:Rosiglitazone has an ameliorative effect on the DRG and enhances the functional recovery after SNC in rats.