Expression of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in peripheral nerve repair.

INTRODUCTION: Trauma is one of the causes of peripheral nerve injuries. Free radicals increase after tissue damage. Free radicals are usually scavenged and detoxified by antioxidants. In this study, we assessed the antioxidative role of the NGAL molecule in sciatic nerve repair in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sciatic nerves of 40 rats were crushed and the total mRNA of samples from day 1 and 3 and week 1, 3, 5 post injury was extracted. The expression of the NGAL gene was confirmed by RT-PCR. For immunohistochemistry analysis, the samples were fixed in paraformaldehyde and cut in 20 micrometer slices by cryostat.

RESULTS: The expression of NGAL significantly upregulated in day 1, 3 and week 1 following the crushing of sciatic nerves in comparison with the intact nerves. Immunohistochemistry results also confirmed the protein expression of this gene.

DISCUSSION: The NGAL molecule showed upregulation in the degeneration process after nerve injury, so it may play an important role in nerve repair.