assessment of neuroprotective effects of local administration of 17- beta- estradiol on peripheral nerve regeneration in ovariectomized female rats

objective: to assess the neuroprotective effects of local administration of 17- beta- estradiol on nerve regeneration. methods: sixty female wistar rats were overiectomized and divided into four experimental groups (n = 15), randomly: in autograft group a segment of sciatic nerve was transected and re-implanted reversely. in sham-surgery group sciatic nerve was exposed and manipulated. in transected group left sciatic nerve was transected and stumps were fixed in adjacent muscle. in treatment group defect was bridged using a silicon conduit filled with 10 µl (0.1 mg/ml) 17- beta- estradiol. each group was subdivided into four subgroups of five animals each and nerve fibers were studied in a 12-week period. results: behavioral, functional, biomechanical, electrophysiological and gastrocnemius muscle mass findings and morphometric indices confirmed faster recovery of regenerated axons in treatment group than in other groups ( p<0.05 ). immunohistochemical reactions to s-100 in treatment group were more positive than that in other groups. conclusion: local administration of 17-beta-estradiol improved functional recovery and morphometric indices of sciatic nerve. it could have clinical implications for the surgical management of patients after facial nerve transection.