Efficacy of exenatide, ozone, and methyl prednisolone for the recovery of infraorbital nerve paresthesia after injury in rats

Abstract

Background: Infraorbital nerve injury often occurs due to zygomatic complex fracture. There is
no standard protocol to restore the sensory and motor function of the nerve after injury. Some
medications are used to improve nerve function. This histopathological animal study aimed to assess
the neurotrophic efficacy of exenatide, ozone, and methyl prednisolone for injured infraorbital nerve.
Materials and Methods: In this animal study, 60 rats were randomly divided into five
groups (n = 12) of control, saline, methyl prednisolone, exenatide, and ozone. Under general
anesthesia, a unilateral infraorbital incision was made, and the nerve was compressed with a hemostat
for 5 s. Depending on the study group, the rats received the designated medications. All rats were
sacrificed after 14 days, and the nerve recovery was evaluated by observing the slides prepared
from the area under a light microscope using histological and immunohistochemical parameters.
Data were analyzed using Chi‑square test and Tukey’s least significant difference test (P < 0.05).
Results: No inflammation in the peripheral tissue had a significantly higher frequency in the methyl
prednisolone group (P < 0.05). Degeneration, intracellular inflammatory infiltrate, muscle injury,
fibrosis around the nerve, granulation tissue, vascular proliferation, and infiltration of inflammatory
cells around the nerve were more commonly absent in the exenatide group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Exenatide showed superior efficacy for the recovery of infraorbital nerve function
after injury. Thus, it may be beneficial for postoperative care following infraorbital nerve injury.
Key Words: Exenatide, infraorbital nerve, methylprednisolone, nerve injury, ozone