BIOCOMPATIBILITY STUDIES An alternative to nerve repair using an antioxidant compound: a histological study in rats Marcos B. Salles • Sergio A. Gehrke • Samuel Koo • Sergio Allegrini Jr. • Sizue O. Rogero • Tamiko I. Ikeda • A ´ urea S. Cruz • Elio H. Shinohara • Marcelo Yoshimoto Received: 24 February 2014 / Accepted: 31 July 2014 / Published online: 13 January 2015 Ó Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014 Abstract The fascicular composition and organisation of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) were determined to con- firm the microarchitecture of the IAN bundles into each of the mandibular teeth, including the composition of the mental nerve. The aim of this study was to evaluate peripheral nerve repair after the application of an antioxi- dant compound to the damaged nerve tissue to elevate the concentration and bioavailability of elements capable of favouring tissue repair. Twenty-five Wistar rats were divided into groups: The Control 1 (Ctl 1) (n = 5) animals had the ischiatic nerve exposed with no suture injury and were sacrificed at 30 days post-operatively. The Control 2 (Ctl 2) (n = 10) animals had the ischiatic nerve exposed, and the nerve was injured using suture in three distinct regions. In the experimental (Exp) animals (n = 10), an antioxidant organic compound was applied to the nerve injury site. The animals with nerve injury (Ctl2 and Exp group) were sacrificed at 15 and 30 days post-operatively. The histological analysis showed less degeneration in the Exp group at 15 and 30 days post-operatively. Nerve neoformation forming a connection between the distal and proximal suture sites was observed in the experimental group. This study presented an alternative to nerve repair using an antioxidant compound. 1 Introduction The timely repair of peripheral nerve injuries has been the sine qua non for the successful recovery of nerve function, especially since Seddon’s extensive experience with treat- ment of missile injuries to the extremities during and after World War II. Seddon’s comment, ‘‘If a purely expectant policy is pursued, the most favourable time for operative intervention will always be missed.’’ is as pertinent today as it was more than 60 years ago. As in all other causes of nerve injury, the treatment of a patient with a dental implant-associated nerve injury is dependent on the correct diagnosis of the injury and timely management. The perioperative administration of supportive medica- tions has been advocated for patients undergoing procedures such as dental implants, mandibular osteotomies, and removal of the lower third molars, which are associated with a risk of nerve injury. There is conflict in the literature between those who recommend starting corticosteroids preoperatively and others who advise waiting postoperatively for several days M. B. Salles Á E. H. Shinohara Department of Health Sciences - School of Dentistry, 9 de Julho University, Sa ˜o Paulo, SP, Brazil S. A. Gehrke (&) Biotecnos Research Center, Rua Dr. Bozano, 571 - CP 97015-001, Santa Maria (RS), Brazil e-mail: sergio.gehrke@hotmail.com S. A. Gehrke Catholic University of Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay S. Koo Division of Periodontology, Department of Oral Medicine, Infection and Immunity Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA S. Allegrini Jr. Á S. O. Rogero Á M. Yoshimoto Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (IPEN), Science and Technology Materials Center (CCTM), Sa ˜o Paulo, Brazil S. Allegrini Jr. Á M. Yoshimoto Graduate Program in Biodentistry, Ibirapuera University (UNIB), Sa ˜o Paulo, SP 04661 100, Brazil T. I. Ikeda Á A ´ . S. Cruz Institute Adolfo Lutz, Laboratory of Cell Culture, Sa ˜o Paulo, Brazil 123 J Mater Sci: Mater Med (2015) 26:14 DOI 10.1007/s10856-014-5340-z