Peripheral nerves show regenerative responses, but recovery after injury or neuropathies is slow, often incomplete, and at present no efficient treatment is available. Using two in vivo models of traumatic injury (freeze-injury or complete section of a rat sciatic nerve) and the PC 12 cell model, we tested the therapeutic usefulness of etifoxine, recently identified as a ligand of the Translocator Protein (18kDa) (TSPO), to promote axonal regeneration, modulate inflammatory responses and improve functional recovery. We found by light and electron microscopy, retrograde labelling and immunofluorescence studies that etifoxine therapy promoted the regeneration of axons. Etifoxine treatment also caused a marked reduction in the number of reactive macrophages after cryolesion. The recovery of locomotion, motor coordination and sensory functions were also improved in response to etifoxine treatment. Thus etifoxine, a clinically approved drug already used for the treatment of anxiety disorders, is exceptionally effective in promoting peripheral nerve regeneration and functional recovery.
展开▼
