Impact of ivermectin on nerve regeneration following sciatic injury in mice: the consequences of dietary high fructose

Authors

EZGİ DENİZ ARIKANFollow
BARIŞCAN ÇİMENFollow
AYŞE ECE GEZEN YILMAZFollow
ELİF AKAYDINFollow
BERKAY ALPAYFollow
DENİZ EKİN ERBAŞFollow
ERBLINA NIKSHIQIFollow
SEVDA MÜFTÜOĞLUFollow
YILDIRIM SARAFollow

Abstract

Background/aimPeripheral nerve injuries (PNI) are debilitating disorders affecting predominantly the younger generation, often leading to significant disabilities. Current treatment strategies are inadequate in addressing the complex nature of these injuries. Peripheral nerve healing and functional recovery are crucial components of both pathophysiology and therapeutic approach. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a frequently used sweetener in several beverages and foods. And it is associated with several metabolic disturbances including insulin resistance and may impair nerve healing. This study investigates the therapeutic role of ivermectin on nerve regeneration following sciatic nerve injury and evaluates motor and sensorial functions together with histopathological evaluation. Additionally, we aimed to compare nerve healing between animals that consume high-fructose and those that do not.Materials and methodsForty-eight male Swiss albino mice were randomly divided into six groups, first-half consuming HFCS-42 (11% v/v) and the second-half regular tap-water for 8 weeks. On 28th day, sciatic nerve injury (SNI) was performed on all groups. Ivermectin (1 mg/kg) or gabapentin (30 mg/kg) treatments were administered to selected groups. Body weight, blood glucose, motor function (Rotarod, open field test) and thermal-mechanical sensorial functions were assessed weekly. Finally, insulin levels were measured, and histopathological samples were taken.Results8 weeks of HFCS impaired mechanical-thermal sensorial functions with histopathologically poor nerve repair. Ivermectin resulted in improved sensorial and faster motor function recovery in HFCS groups. Elevated plasma insulin levels-HOMA-IR values were diminished by ivermectin in HFCS groups. In ivermectin non-HFCS group, histopathology revealed accelerated healing and higher scores in total. Ivermectin also ameliorated mechanical sensation loss after SNI alongside with cold sensation.ConclusionIvermectin accelerated sensorial and motor nerve recovery resulting in faster nerve healing alongside improved insulin-resistance, suggesting it might serve as a potential foundation for developing a new treatment for nerve regeneration after injury.

Author ORCID Identifier

EZGİ DENİZ ARIKAN: 0000-0003-4546-1364

BARIŞCAN ÇİMEN: 0000-0002-0705-6184

AYŞE ECE GEZEN YILMAZ: 0000-0002-6444-5397

ELİF AKAYDIN: 0000-0001-6916-2516

BERKAY ALPAY: 0000-0001-8531-5690

DENİZ EKİN ERBAŞ: 0000-0002-5077-3955

ERBLINA NIKSHIQI: 0000-0002-2603-7587

SEVDA MÜFTÜOĞLU: 0000-0003-0664-0204

YILDIRIM SARA: 0000-0003-1079-0782

DOI

10.55730/1300-0144.5971

Keywords

high fructose corn syrup, ivermectin, nerve regeneration, Sciatic nerve

First Page

299

Last Page

312

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

ARIKAN, EZGİ DENİZ; ÇİMEN, BARIŞCAN; GEZEN YILMAZ, AYŞE ECE; AKAYDIN, ELİF; ALPAY, BERKAY; ERBAŞ, DENİZ EKİN; NIKSHIQI, ERBLINA; MÜFTÜOĞLU, SEVDA; and SARA, YILDIRIM (2025) "Impact of ivermectin on nerve regeneration following sciatic injury in mice: the consequences of dietary high fructose," Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences: Vol. 55: No. 1, Article 35. https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-0144.5971
Available at: https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/medical/vol55/iss1/35