Regeneration responses of Ankaferd Blood Stopper, platelet-rich-plasma, and <i>Momordica charantia</i> on sciatic nerve injury in the obese rats

Obesity is a prevalent and potentially fatal disorder in industrialized nations, often due to an imbalance between calorie intake and energy expenditure. The study investigates the effects of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and<i>Momordica charantia</i>(MC) on obese rats with sciatic nerve injuries using stereological and electron microscopic techniques. Twenty-four female Sprague Dawley rats, aged 8-10 weeks, were divided into three groups: the obese gap ABS group (OGABS), the obese gap PRP group (OGPRP), and the obese gap MC group (OGMC). A five-mm nerve block was resected approximately 10 mm above the nerve branch. The gap region was then surrounded and closed by a collagen membrane in tube form. Materials such as ABS, PRP, and MC were injected into the tubes of each group. Electromyography and histological procedures were performed after 12 weeks of surgery to investigate their structural repair and functional promotion of nerve regeneration. A significant increase in the number of myelinated axons in OGMC was found. In addition, the latency values in OGMC were more critical than in the OGABS and OGPRP groups, indicating better myelination. PRP and ABS positively affected nerve gap repair, favoring regenerating unmyelinated axons. Due to increased amplitude values, PRP and ABS have also improved axonal area regeneration. Collagen tubes containing ABS, PRP, and MC may help repair and close peripheral nerve gaps in obese rats, which could be beneficial in closing peripheral nerve resection and demyelination. The study's findings indicate that these collagen tubes can have a therapeutic effect on peripheral nerve regeneration in obese models.