Lipocalin 2 expression in sciatic nerve regeneration

Trauma is one of the causes of peripheral nerve injuries. Free radicals increase after tissue damages. Usually free radicals are scavenged and detoxified by antioxidants. In this study we assessed antioxidative role of NGAL (Neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin= Lipocalin2) molecule on crushed sciatic nerves of rats. In this study 40 rat’s sciatic nerves were crushed and then at day 1 and 3 and week 1، 3، 5 after injury the sciatic nerve of rats which suffering crushed were extracted. First of all total mRNA of samples was extracted and then cDNA was synthesized. The expression of NGAL gene was confirmed by using semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis. For immunohistochemistry analysis، the samples were fixed in praformaldehyde and cut in 20 micrometer slices by cryostat. The results showed that the expression of lipocalin 2 was significantly higher in day 1، day 3 and week 1 in crushed sciatic nerves in compare with the intact (non-injured) nerves (p<0. 0001). Immunohistochemistry results also confirmed the protein expression of these genes. The sciatic nerve injuries cause oxidative stress which followed by crush injury. In this research NGAL molecule showed maximum up-regulation in degeneration process after injury when oxidative stress have maximum peak. In this project for the first time we demonstrated the role of this molecule in degeneration and regeneration process of peripheral nerves and with more studies it may suggest as new complemental treatment.