Dose-Dependent Effects of Minocycline on Facial Nerve Regeneration: A Microscopic and Molecular Study
8 affiliations
- 1Faculty of Medicine, Bezmialem Vakıf University, Istanbul, Turkey
- 2Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Bezmialem Vakıf University, Istanbul, Turkey
- 3Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Bezmialem Vakıf University, Istanbul, Turkey
- 4Nihat Mustafayev Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey
- 5Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Cerrahpaşa Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
- 6Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Vocational School of Health Services, Pathology Laboratory Techniques Program, Bezmialem Vakıf University, Istanbul, Turkey
- 7Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Bezmialem Vakıf University, Istanbul, Turkey
- 8Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
Abstract
Injuries to the facial nerve present clinical difficulties with frequently unfavorable results. This study uses histological, electrophysiological, and LC-MS/MS-based metabolomic techniques to examine the dose-dependent effects of locally administered minocycline on facial nerve regeneration. For that purpose, the rats were divided into three groups. Following nerve transection and suturing, the rats from Group A received sterile water, those from Group B received 40 μg of minocycline, and those from Group C received 100 μg of minocycline locally on the suture line in 20 μL fibrin gel. Nerve regeneration was evaluated using LC-MS/MS metabolomics and histopathological analyses at the end of the 28th day. Electrophysiological analyses were performed on the 0th day and postoperative 1, 2, and 4 weeks. In the sections of Group A, edema within the myelin sheath and beneath the perineurium were the most conspicuous findings. Vacuolar characteristics within the myelin sheath were also detectable. Groups B and C exhibited preserved architecture with minimal edema. Nerve fiber density was similar across groups (p > 0.05). Metabolomics analyses revealed reduced betaine and elevated proline levels in Group C vs. Group A (p < 0.05). Compound muscle action potential values improved over time, especially in Group B (p = 0.013), peaking at week 2. Both doses of minocycline have been found beneficial on facial nerve regeneration. Although Group C showed superior histological and biochemical outcomes, Group B induced greater clinical and electrophysiological outcomes. We suggest that minocycline is effective on nerve regeneration in a dose-dependent manner.
No Level Assigned This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
Related
- Context-dependent aesthetic perception after facial local flap reconstruction for cutaneous malignancies: a multi-observer study integrating patient-reported outcomes and public perspective.
- Liver Injury Repair and Regeneration: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets
- Minocycline-induced black bone disease in shoulder arthroscopy: a case report
- Minocycline attenuates gulf war illness-related pain sensitization and preserves descending control of nociception in mice
- Minocycline in acute stroke : A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and trial sequential analysis
BibTeX
@article{yılmaz2026dosedependent,
title = {{Dose-Dependent Effects of Minocycline on Facial Nerve Regeneration: A Microscopic and Molecular Study}},
author = {Sumera İnci Yılmaz and Sedat Meydan and Mukaddes Eşrefoğlu and Nihat Mustafayev and Leyla Mustafayeva and Kübra Başol Baki and Metin Demirel and Fatih Maral and Şahabettin Selek},
journal = {Aesthetic Plastic Surgery},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1007/s00266-026-05976-z},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-026-05976-z},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Dose-Dependent Effects of Minocycline on Facial Nerve Regeneration: A Microscopic and Molecular Study
AU - Sumera İnci Yılmaz
AU - Sedat Meydan
AU - Mukaddes Eşrefoğlu
AU - Nihat Mustafayev
AU - Leyla Mustafayeva
AU - Kübra Başol Baki
AU - Metin Demirel
AU - Fatih Maral
AU - Şahabettin Selek
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/06
JO - Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
DO - 10.1007/s00266-026-05976-z
UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-026-05976-z
AB - Injuries to the facial nerve present clinical difficulties with frequently unfavorable results. This study uses histological, electrophysiological, and LC-MS/MS-based metabolomic techniques to examine the dose-dependent effects of locally administered minocycline on facial nerve regeneration. For that purpose, the rats were divided into three groups. Following nerve transection and suturing, the rats from Group A received sterile water, those from Group B received 40 μg of minocycline, and those from Group C received 100 μg of minocycline locally on the suture line in 20 μL fibrin gel. Nerve regeneration was evaluated using LC-MS/MS metabolomics and histopathological analyses at the end of the 28th day. Electrophysiological analyses were performed on the 0th day and postoperative 1, 2, and 4 weeks. In the sections of Group A, edema within the myelin sheath and beneath the perineurium were the most conspicuous findings. Vacuolar characteristics within the myelin sheath were also detectable. Groups B and C exhibited preserved architecture with minimal edema. Nerve fiber density was similar across groups (p > 0.05). Metabolomics analyses revealed reduced betaine and elevated proline levels in Group C vs. Group A (p < 0.05). Compound muscle action potential values improved over time, especially in Group B (p = 0.013), peaking at week 2. Both doses of minocycline have been found beneficial on facial nerve regeneration. Although Group C showed superior histological and biochemical outcomes, Group B induced greater clinical and electrophysiological outcomes. We suggest that minocycline is effective on nerve regeneration in a dose-dependent manner. No Level Assigned This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
SN - 0364-216X
SN - 1432-5241
ER -