The effect of short-term treatments of a gonadotropinreleasing hormone analog (buserelin) on sciatic nerve regeneration

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) has neuromodulatory roles in central and peripheral nervous systems. The purpose of
this study is to evaluate the effect of GnRH analog (buserelin) on peripheral nerve regeneration. Forty adult male rats were divided
into buserelin-treated, normal saline, sham surgery, and castrated + buserelin groups. The left sciatic nerve was crushed by a fine
forceps and all animals were evaluated by sciatic functional index (SFI), electrophysiology, histology and immunohistochemistry
testing. On post operation days 21 and 28, the difference between buserelin and normal saline groups was statistically significant
(P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between the buserelin and castrated + buserelin groups (P>0.05). At the 28th day
after operation, the diameters (μm) of the regenerated myelinated fibers of the buserelin group were significantly greater than those
of the normal saline group (P<0.05). Although nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of the buserelin group was faster than the normal
saline group, the difference was not statistically significant. The present study suggests that buserelin treatment might accelerate
peripheral nerve regeneration.