BACKGROUND: Secretion of various neurotrophic factors by Schwann cells plays important roles in neural regeneration. However, the secretion capability is affected by many factors. To seek a feasible method for promoting nerve growth factor secretion by Schwann cells is a key of regeneraion following neurologic defect.OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of methylprednisolone(solu-medrol) on the secreted function of Schwann cells of cultured rats.METHODS: Schwann cells were isolated and cultured by enzyme digestion method. Cell growth was observed under an inverted phase contrast microscope. Following passage, purity of some Schwann cells was identified using S-100 protein immunity. Other Schwann cells were regulated using cell counting plate into 1×10~9/L, and incubated in a 6-well culture plate (15 wells) for further incubation. Following 4 days of culture, different concentrations of solu-medrol (10~(-3), 10~(-4), 10~(-6), 10~(-8) mol/L) were administrated to the cell, while blank control group (1 well) was given no drug. 24, 48 and 72 hours after administration, reverse trancription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used in the detection of the levels of nerve growth factor mRNA.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Number of primarily cultured cells was significantly increased at day 7, and 80% cells were confluent. Subcultured cells were spindle-shaped, with 2 thin long processes, showing positive fluorescence staining. Fibroblasts were round or flat, showing negative reaction of fluorescence staining. Reserve transcription-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that nerve growth factor number at 72 hours affected by 10~(-8) mol/L radiosone was increased compared with the blank control group and other concentrations and other time points (P < 0.05). Number of nerve growth factor was reduced following treatment of 10~(-3) mol/L radiosone compared with the blank control group and other concentrations (P < 0.05). These results suggested that high concentration of solu-medrol prohibits secreted function of Schwann's cells, but long time and low dosage solu-medrol promotes secreted function of Schwann's cells.