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Abstract Background: Fetal Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) develops viability and proliferation of nerve cells. Also this fluid contains many valuable factors for protection of nervous system injury cells. In this research, the effect of cerebrospinal fluid intraperitoneal injection on alpha motor degeneration after sciatic nerve compression in rat was determined. Materials and Methods: In this experimental-laboratory study, 18 male Wistar rats divided randomly in 3 groups (control, compression, and experimental). In compression and experimental group, right sciatic nerves were highly compressed. CSF was injected in experimental group each three days. After 1 month care, all rats were cordially perused by 10% formaldehyde and their L4-L6 lumbar segments of spinal cord were sampled and with processed for histological examination, the paraffin blocks were serially cut (7mm). Slices were stained with toluidine blue and numerical densities of motoneurons in spinal ventral horn were estimated stereological (dissector) technique. Quantitative data were analyzed by T-test. Results: Significant reduce in motoneurons number of compression group (47026) in comparison with control group (173978) was seen. Also there was significant difference between compression and experimental groups (992±141) in neuron density. Conclusion: CSF intraperitoneal injection may have a beneficial effect in neural regeneration.

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Abstract

Background: Retrograde transport to the alpha motoneurons causes spinal degeneration. The neurotrophic factor (NT3) increases the number of myelinated axons in the dorsal root, leads to differentiation and survival of sensory neurons, parasympathetic motoneurons and prevents cell death. Lavender is a plant in the family Lamiaceae which is reported to have antioxidant, antispasmodic, diuretic, anti-asthmatic, refrigerant, and antipyretic effects. This study examined NT3 gene expression changes after sciatic nerve compression in rats, in the presence of Lavandula officinalis extract. 

Materials and Methods: Lavender Soxhlet hydroalcoholic extraction was prepared. 36 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups including control, compression and treatment (compression group + hydroalcoholic extract of Lavender injections 75mg/kg) groups. In controls the muscle was opened without damage to gain access to the sciatic nerve. In compression and treatment groups, the sciatic nerve (right leg) was compressed. The extract was injected intraperitoneally in two occasions. A biopsy was taken from the spinal cord segments L4-L6 on day 28, total RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized and NT3 gene expression changes were analyzed by ANOVA test by using SPSS software. 

Results: The results showed that NT3 gene expression had a significant reduction in compression group compared to the control group (p<0.001) and it had a significant increase in treatment group compared with the compression group (p<0.001).

Conclusion: A significant increase in gene expression shows that Lavandula officinalis hydroalcoholic extract improves nerve regeneration via NT3 gene expression.