The effects of lipoic acid and methylprednisolone on nerve healing in rats with facial paralysis

Objective: To investigate the effects of lipoic acid and methylprednisolone on nerve healing in rats with traumatic facial paralysis. Materials and methods: The rats were randomly divided into four groups, with six rats in the control group and eight each in the remaining three groups. The buccal branch of the facial nerve in all groups except the control group was traumatized by a vascular clamp for 40 minutes. Group 1 was given lipoic acid (LA), Group 2 was given methylprednisolone (MP), and Group 3 was given lipoic acid and methylprednisolone (LA + MP) for one week. Nerve stimulus thresholds were measured before trauma, after trauma and at the end of the one week treatment period. Results: When the groups were compared with each other, post-treatment threshold levels of LA + MP were significantly lower than LA. Although post-treatment threshold levels of LA and MP were still higher than the control group, there was no significant difference between LA + MP and control values (p > .05). Conclusion: Lipoic acid has a positive effect on nerve healing and can enhance the effect of methylprednisolone treatment. It is a good alternative in cases where methylprednisolone cannot be used