Effects of Dexamethasone on Bupivacaine-Induced Peripheral Nerve Injection Injury in the Rat Sciatic Model

Introduction The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of perineural dexamethasone against intraneural bupivacaine. Material and Methods Rats were divided into 9 groups with 6 animals in each group; Group 1 (Intraneural saline 600 mu L-2ndday), Group 2 (Intraneural saline 600 mu L-7th day), Group 3 (Intraneural saline 600 mu L + perineural dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg-2nd day), Group 4 (Intraneural saline 600 mu L + perineural dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg-7th day), Group 5 (Intraneural bupivacaine 10 mg/kg-2nd day), Group 6 (Intranueral bupivacaine 10 mg/kg-7th day), Group 7 (Intraneural bupivacaine 10 mg/kg + perineurald exam ethasone 0.5 mg/kg-2nd day), Group 8 (Intraneural bupivacaine 10 mg/kg + perineural dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg-7th day), Group 9 (Control group). At the end of the application period, histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations were analyzed. Results and Conclusion It was observed that caspase 3 levels significantly increased in the 5th and 6th groups compared to the 1st and 2nd groups (p < 0.01). However, in the 7th and 8th groups, these levels were similar with 1st and 2nd groups. While a significant decrease in S 100 levels was detected in group 6 (p < 0.05), a significant increase occurred in Group 8 and reached the same levels as Group 2. According to histopathological evaluation, edema, vacuolization and myelin degeneration were significantly increased in groups 5 and 6 (p < 0.05). However, in the 8th group, the mentioned data showed a significant decrease and reached the same levels as group 2. As a result, perineural dexamethasone was found to have protective effects against intraneural bupivacaine induced sciatic nerve damage.