Androgen treatment and recovery of function following recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in the rat Journal Article


Authors: Brown, T. J.; Pittman, A. L.; Monaco, G. N.; Benscoter, B. J.; Mantravadi, A. V.; Akst, L. M.; Jones, K. J.; Foecking, E. M.
Article Title: Androgen treatment and recovery of function following recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in the rat
Abstract: PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of the androgen testosterone propionate (TP), on regeneration of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) after unilateral crush injury using assessment of vocal fold mobility (VFM) as a measure of behavioral recovery. METHODS: 48 adult male rats underwent standardized crush injury of left RLN and received treatment in the form of 2 silastic capsules containing TP or controls receiving a blank capsule (untreated). Direct laryngoscopic assessment of vocal cord mobility was performed before, immediately following and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 weeks post injury. RESULTS: Treatment with TP enhanced the recovery of full VFM following crush injury of the RLN compared to controls. There was statistically significant improvement in VFM seen at the 1 and 2 week time points (p 0.05). By 4 weeks TP-treated rats displayed a 100% recovery of VFM function, compared to only 50% by the control group. CONCLUSIONS: TP enhances RLN functional recovery following a crush injury, which further supports its potential general applicability as a therapeutic agent in peripheral nerve injury.
Journal Title: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience
Volume: 31
Issue: 2
ISSN: 1878-3627; 0922-6028
Publisher: Unknown  
Journal Place: Netherlands
Date Published: 2013
Start Page: 169
End Page: 176
Language: eng
DOI/URL:
Notes: LR: 20131121; JID: 9005499; 0 (Androgens); WI93Z9138A (Testosterone Propionate); ppublish
LUC Authors
Related LUC Article