GFAP and S100 expression following treatment with Oat Extract in Experimental Sciatic Nerve Injury in Rats

Based on previous studies, Oat plant is a medicinal herb with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. But no studies have been done on the role of this plant in restoring the sciatic nerve. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of GFAP and S100 after treatment with oat extracts in the experimental sciatic nerve injury in rat. Fifty adult male rats were divided into five groups (n=10). Group 1 kept as sham‚ group 2: control group (nerve injury without treatment). In groups 3-5 sciatic nerve injury was done, then animal received oral gavage of the oat extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg), respectively. Then 2 and 4 weeks later, rats were Euthanasia or death by pity for Immunohistochemistry (IHC) evaluation of nerve repair. The analysis of immunohistochemical results and the expression of S100 and GFAP after 2 weeks period showed that in the 4-5 group with therapeutic dose (200-400 mg / kg), the expression of the gene was significantly reduced compared to the control group (P <0.05). Also, the results of gene expression after 4 weeks showed that group 5 with a dose (400 mg / kg) had significantly decreased compared to the control group (P <0.05). These results suggested oat extract has positive effect with (P <0.05) on sciatic nerve repair in rat.