Evaluation of the effect of pitavastatin on motor deficit and functional recovery in sciatic nerve injury: A CatWalk study

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the electrophysiological, scintigraphic, and histopathological effects of pitavastatin and its impact on functional status in rats with sciatic nerve injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 Wistar albino rats were divided into three equal groups including 10 rats in each group: sham group (no injury), control group (nerve injury induced), and pitavastatin group (nerve injury induced and 2 mg/kg of pitavastatin administered orally once a day for 21 days). Before and at the end of intervention, quantitative gait analysis with the CatWalk system and sciatic nerve conduction studies were performed. After the intervention, the gastrocnemius muscle was scintigraphically evaluated, and the sciatic nerve was histopathologically examined. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the sciatic nerve conduction before the intervention and Day 21 among the groups (p>0.05). According to the quantitative gait analysis, there were significant differences in the control group in terms of the individual, static, dynamic, and coordination parameters (p<0.05). The histopathological examination revealed a significant difference in the total myelinated axon count and mean axon diameter among the groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Pitavastatin is effective in nerve regeneration and motor function recovery in rats with sciatic nerve injury.