Experimental sciatic nerve neuropathy caused by diclofenac sodium in rats

OBJECTIVE: Our aim in this study is to investigate the total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) values of diclofenac sodium, which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic, after sciatic nerve injury, to examine the histopathological changes in the sciatic nerve, and to examine the results and enable important changes in treatment. It is one of the rare studies conducted histopathologically on post-injection sciatic nerve damage of diclofenac sodium, and the parameters of our biochemical approach have not been evaluated before in the literature.
METHODS: The study was divided into 5 main groups as control, sham, trauma, isotonic fluid, and diclofenac sodium. Sham, trauma, isotonic fluid, and diclofenac sodium groups were divided into four subgroups as early stage (day 1, day 3) and late stage (day 7 and day 14). Subjects in each group were evaluated daily by neurological examination according to the Tarlov scale. In all groups except the control group, the sciatic nerve was exposed through appropriate surgical procedures. TAS, TOS, and OSI were run on blood samples biochemically. Nerve tissue samples were evaluated histopathologically and immunohistochemically.
RESULTS: There was a significant difference in pairwise comparison of the groups in terms of CASPASE-3 values. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of myelin thickness and axon diameter. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of nerve diameter values.
CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that intramuscular injections of diclofenac sodium have potential harmful effects. We recommend that alternative methods of using diclofenac sodium intramuscularly be preferred whenever possible due to the potential complications associated with this drug, that healthcare professionals receive necessary training on intramuscular administration, that the procedures be performed more carefully, and that patients be informed about these complications.

Keywords: Diclofenac sodium, Injection, Neuropathy, Sciatic