Academic Journal
The Effect of Exanatide on Recovery of the Facial Nerve Crush Injury in the Rat.
| Title: | The Effect of Exanatide on Recovery of the Facial Nerve Crush Injury in the Rat. |
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| Authors: | Yılmaz B; Department of Otolaryngology, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul Kartal Dr Lutfi Kirdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye., Şahin Yılmaz AA; Department of Otolaryngology, Sağlık Bilimleri University (University of Health Sciences), Istanbul Kartal Dr Lutfi Kirdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye., İla K; Department of Otolaryngology, Vanity Cosmetic Surgery Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye., Sürmeli R; Department of Neurology, Umraniye Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye., Karabulut MH; Department of Pathology, Umraniye Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye., Sürmeli M; Department of Otolaryngology, Acibadem Atasehir Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye. |
| Source: | The journal of international advanced otology [J Int Adv Otol] 2026 Oct 09; Vol. 22 (5), pp. 1-9. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Oct 09. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: AVES Country of Publication: Turkey NLM ID: 101522982 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2148-3817 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 13087649 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Int Adv Otol Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: <2016- > : İstanbul : AVES Original Publication: Ankara : Mediterranean Society of Otology and Audiology |
| MeSH Terms: | Exenatide*/pharmacology , Exenatide*/administration & dosage , Facial Nerve Injuries*/drug therapy , Facial Nerve Injuries*/physiopathology , Facial Nerve Injuries*/pathology , Nerve Regeneration*/drug effects , Crush Injuries*/drug therapy , Facial Paralysis*/drug therapy, Recovery of Function/drug effects ; Facial Nerve/drug effects ; Animals ; Female ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Disease Models, Animal ; Random Allocation ; Prospective Studies ; Electromyography |
| Abstract: | Background: Exenatide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, has been shown to promote functional recovery and nerve regeneration after nerve crush injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exenatide on facial nerve regeneration in traumatic facial paralysis. Methods: This prospective, randomized animal study included 28 healthy female Sprague-Dawley rats divided into 4 groups of 7 rats each: control group, sham group, 2.5 μg/rat/day exenatide-treated group, and 10 μg/rat/day exenatide-treated group. Exenatide was injected subcutaneously for 14 days. Crush injury was applied to the left facial nerve in all groups except the sham group. Functional assessment, electrophysiological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical examinations were performed after crush injury. Results: The blink reflex score was higher in 10 μg exenatide-treated rats than in other rats at week 1. At weeks 3 and 4, the vibrissae movement score was higher in exenatide-treated rats than in untreated rats. Electromyographic assessments performed at weeks 2 and 4 showed higher amplitude values and shorter latency periods in the exenatide treatment groups. Exenatide was found to have a dose-dependent effect on reducing the severity of vasoconstriction, and this effect was statistically significant. When comparing the exenatide treatment groups with the control group, a significant reduction in the incidence of severe macrovacuolation and an increase in myelin thickness were observed (P < .05). Conclusion: Functional, electrophysiological, and histopathological evaluations have shown that exenatide treatment has a positive and accelerating effect on facial nerve recovery in traumatic facial paralysis. (Copyright © 2026 The Author(s). Published by CALEO. Content of this journal is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.) |
| Competing Interests: | The authors have no conflict of interest to declare. |
| Grant Information: | 2021/110 Scientific Research Projects Unit of Sağlık Bilimleri University (the University of Health Sciences) |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Crush injury; exenatide; facial nerve; functional recovery; neuroprotective agents |
| Substance Nomenclature: | 9P1872D4OL (Exenatide) |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20261013 Date Completed: 20261013 Latest Revision: 20261013 |
| Update Code: | 20261014 |
| DOI: | 10.65717/iao.2026.252134 |
| PMID: | 42867352 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 2148-3817 |
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| DOI: | 10.65717/iao.2026.252134 |