Affiliations: R & D Services Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA | Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Indiana School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA | Departments of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Proviso, IL, USA | Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA | Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy Program Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA | R and D Services Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA
Note: [] Both authors contributed equally to the preparation of this manuscript. Corresponding author: Todd J. Brown, Ph.D., Richard L. Roudebush VAMC, 1481W. 10th Street, Mail Code 151, Rm C-3074, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. Tel.: +1 317 988 4994; Fax: +1 317 278 2040; E-mail: tojobrow@iupui.edu
Note: [] Both authors contributed equally to the preparation of this manuscript.
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.
