The effect of ganglioside on the regeneration of compression neuropathy was studied in rabbit sciatric nerve. The right sciatic nerve was surgically exposed and mechanically compressed in 40 rabbits, which were divided into two groups. The experimental group was treated with ganglioside 10 mg/kg/day intramuscularly for 20 or 40 days. The control group was observed without any treatment. The left sciatic nerve of control group was used as the normal group.

At the end of 20 or 40 days the sciatic potentials were measured by the Medelec MS 20 Mystrol. the weight of soleus-gastrocnemius muscles were measured by the electron scale of Sartorius DJ-2105 and the weight ratio of those muscles to body weight was calculated. The thickness of myelin sheath of the compressive scaitic nerve was measured by electron microscopy. Then the three groups were compared and the data obtained from 40 rabbits were analyzed statistically.

The results are as follows:

The regeneration of compression neuropathy of the experimental group treated with ganglioside for 40 days was significant in the lateny (p<0.05), amplitude (p<0.01), area (p<0.05), and duration (p<0.05) in the nerve conduction study, and the thickness of myelin sheath (p<0.01) of sciatic nerve in the electron microscopy compared with those of the control group.

The regeneration of the compression neuropathy in the experimental group treated with ganglioside for 20 days was was minimal or non significant in the latency (p<0.05), amplitude (p>0.1), area (p>0.1), and duration (p>0.1) in the nerve conduction study compared with those of the control group. Ther thickness of the myelin sheath of sciatic nerve in the electron microscopy could not be studied in this group treated with ganglioside for 20 days.

The weight reduction of soleus-gastrocnemius muscles in the expreimental group was significant (p<0.01) compared with those of the normal group but not significant (p>0.1) between the experimental group and the control group.

The Ganglioside seems to have an effect on the regeneration of the compression neuropathy in rabbits.