The histopathological effects of calcium channel blockers added as adjuvants to local anesthetics on nerves in rats
Project no. 21738 · Status: Kapanmış (Yayın bekleniyor) · 2020
Summary
<p><strong>Introduction:</strong> Peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) can provide advantages but may also cause direct or iatrogenic nerve damage. Agents such as bicarbonate, epinephrine, and diltiazem are used in combination with local anesthetics (LAs) to enhance their effects, but their effects on the nerves are rarely investigated. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential neuroprotective effects and block quality of adding diltiazem to LA in a rat model.</p><p><strong>Materials and Methods: </strong>The study was conducted in a total of 46 Wistar albino rats divided into six groups. Group A (n=8) received 2ml bupivacaine, Group B (n=8) received 100mg diltiazem, Group C (n=8) received 200mg diltiazem, Group D (n=8) received 100mg diltiazem and 0.2ml bupivacaine, Group E (n=8) received 200mg diltiazem and 0.2ml bupivacaine, and Group F (n=6) served as the sham group. Electrophysiological measurements were performed using Compound Muscle Action Potentials (CMAP). Measurements were taken on Day 0 and Day 14. Samples collected on Day 14 were histopathologically evaluated for perineural inflammation and nerve damage.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Electromyography (EMG) and histopathological analyses showed no significant differences between groups in terms of intraneural mast cells, perineural mast cells, perineural fibrosis, perineural leukocyte infiltration, and intraneural vascular proliferation. Group E showed less neural degeneration compared to the sham group (p=0.021).</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Adding diltiazem to bupivacaine in PNBs appears to offer potential protective effects against nerve damage, although no noticeable effect on the efficacy of nerve blocks was observed.</p>