OBJECTIVE: To explore the possibility to bridge peripheral nerve defects by xenogeneic acellular nerve basal lamina scaffolds. METHODS: Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups; in each group, the left sciatic nerves were bridged respectively by predegenerated or fresh xenogeneic acellular nerve basal lamina scaffolds, autogenous nerve grafting, fresh xenogeneic nerve grafting or without bridging. Two kinds of acellular nerve basal lamina scaffolds, extracted by 3% Triton X-100 and 4% deoxycholate sodium from either fresh rabbit tibial nerves or predegenerated ones for 2 weeks, were transplanted to bridge 15 mm rat sciatic nerve gaps. Six months after the grafting, the recovery of function was evaluated by gait analysis, pinch test, morphological and morphometric analysis. RESULTS: The sciatic nerve function indexes (SFI) were -30.7% +/- 6.8% in rats treated with xenogeneic acellular nerve, -36.2% +/- 9.7% with xenogeneic predegenerated acellular nerve, and -33.9% +/- 11.3% with autograft respectively (P gt; 0.05). The number of regenerative myelinated axons, diameter of myelinated fibers and thickness of myelin sheath in acellular xenograft were satisfactory when compared with that in autograft. Regenerated microfascicles distributed in the center of degenerated and acellular nerve group. The regenerated nerve fibers had normal morphological and structural characters under transmission electron microscope. The number and diameter of myelinated fibers in degenerated accellular nerve group was similar to that of autograft group (P gt; 0.05). Whereas the thickness of myelin sheath in degenerated accellular nerve group was significantly less than that of autograft group (P lt; 0.05). CONCLUSION: The above results indicate that xenogeneic acellular nerve basal lamina scaffolds extracted by chemical procedure can be successfully used to repair nerve defects without any immunosuppressants.
Objective To review new progress of related research of peri pheral nerve defect treatment with tissue engineering in recent years. Methods Domestic and internationl l iterature concerning peri pheral nerve defect treatment with tissue engineering was reviewed and analyzed. Results Releasing neurotrophic factors with sustained release technology included molecular biology techniques, poly (lactic-co-glycol ic acid) microspheres, and polyphosphate microspheres. The mixture of neurotrophic factors and ductus was implanted to the neural tube wall which could be degraded then releasing factors slowly. Seed cells which were the major source of active ingredients played an important role in the repair and reconstruction of tissue engineering products. The neural tube of Schwann cells made long nerve repair and the quality of nerve regeneration was improved. Nerve scaffold materials included natural and synthetic biodegradable materials. Tube structure usually was adopted for nerve scaffold, which performance would affect the nerve repair effects directly. Conclusion With the further research of tissue engineering, the treatment of peripheral nerve defects with tissue engineering has made significant progress.
OBJECTIVE Following the delayed repair of peripheral nerve injury, the cell number of anterior horn of the spinal cord and its ultrastructural changes, motorneuron and its electrophysiological changes were investigated. METHODS In 16 rabbits the common peroneal nerves of both sides being transected one year later were divided into four groups randomly: the degeneration group and regeneration of 1, 3 and 5 months groups. Another 4 rabbits were used for control. All transected common peroneal nerves underwent epineural suture except for the degeneration group the electrophysiological examination was carried out at 1, 3 and 5 months postoperatively. Retrograde labelling of the anterior horn cells was demonstrated and the cells were observed under light and electronmicroscope. RESULTS 1. The number of labelled anterior horn cell in the spinal cord was 45% of the normal population after denervation for one year (P lt; 0.01). The number of labelled cells increased steadily from 48% to 57% and 68% of normal values at 1, 3 and 5 months following delayed nerve repair (P lt; 0.01). 2. The ultrastructure of the anterior horn cells of the recover gradually after repair. 3. With the progress of regeneration the latency become shortened, the conduction velocity was increased, the amplitude of action potential was increased. CONCLUSION Following delayed repair of injury of peripheral nerve, the morphology of anterior horn cells of spinal cord and electrophysiological display all revealed evidence of regeneration, thus the late repair of injury of peripheral nerve was valid.
The sciatic nerves of adult rats were sectioned bilaterally and the ends of the nerves were placed in silicone tubes. One side of the distal nerve segment was inverted and that of the contralateral side was non-inverted. After 2, 4, 6 weeks, the rats were killed and the specimens were removed for macroscopic, histologic and morphometric analysis. The results showed that either the inverted or non-inverted distal nerve segments had no influence on the number of the myelinated axons in the regenerated nerves, but the number and density of the myelinated axons was markedly diminished in the inverted distal nerve segments.
Objective To study the biological activities ofthe nerve regeneration conditioned fluid (NRCF), especially to further separateand identify the protein bands of the relative molecular mass of (232-440)×103. Methods The silicone nerve regeneration chambers were implanted between the cut ends of the sciatic nerve in 6 New Zealand white rabbits (weight, 1.8-2.5 kg). The proteins in NRCF were separated by the native-polycrylamide gel electrophoresis (Native-PAGE), the protein bands of the relative molecular mass of (232-440)×103 were analyzed by the Shotgun technique, liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry. Results The Native-PAGE result showed that there was 1 protein band of the relative molecular mass over 669×103, (232-440)×103 and (140-232)×103,respectively, and 6 bands of the relative molecular mass of (67-140)×103.Besides, 54 proteins were identified with at least 2 distinct peptides in 1 protein band of the relative molecular mass of (232-440)×103, including 4 unnamed protein products, mainly at the isoelectric points of 5.5-8.0 and of the relative molecular mass of (10-40)×103. Based on their functions in the protein database, allthe identified proteins in this study were classified into the following 5 groups: conjugated protein (43%), transport protein (30%), enzyme (6%), signal transducer (4%), and molecular function-unknown protein (17%). At the subcellular localization of the identified proteins, there was mainly a secreted protein (63%), and the remaining proteins were localized in the membrane and cytoplasm. Conclusion Native-PAGE and the Shotgun technique can effectively separate and identify proteins from NRCF, and can identify the components of the protein band of the relative molecular mass of (232-440)×103 and provide basicinformation on the unnamed protein products in NRCF.
Objective To study the effect of allogenic different cells injected into denervated muscles on nerve regeneration. Methods Thirty-six adult female SD rats, weighed 120-150 g, were divided into four groups randomly (n=9, each group). Left sciatic nerves were cut down on germfree conditions and given primary suture of epineurium. Different cells were injected into the muscles of calf at once after operation every seven days and in all four times (group A: 1 ml Schwann cells at concentration of 1×106/ml; group B: 1 ml mixed cells of Schwann cells and myoblast cells at concentration of 1×106/ml; group C: 1 ml extract from the culture medium of kidney endothelial cells; and group D: 1 ml culture medium without FCS as control ). After 3 months, the specimen was observed on macrobody and histology, and the densities of neurilemma cell and myoceptor were counted. Results The means of proximate neurilemma cells were 0.187 7±0.054 2 in group A, 0.155 1±0.032 1 in group B, 0.072 4±0.023 7 in group C, and 0.187 7±0.054 2 in group D. The densities of myoceptor were 6.000±0.866 in group A，9.000±2.291 in group B,12.780±1.394 in group C, 3.110±0.782 in group D. Conclusion Schwann cells, mixed cells of Schwann cells with myoblast cells, and the extract from kidney endothelial cells canall accelerate the nerve regeneration. And the effect of extract from the kidney endothelial cell is superior to that of Schwann cell and mixed cell.
OBJECTIVE To observe the degeneration and regeneration of the Meissner’s corpuscles after implanted sensory nerve into the denervated monkey’s fingers under electron microscope. METHODS The two finger nerves of the monkey’s fingers were denervated. Afterwards, one finger nerve was cut off, and the other was reimplanted into the denervated finger. After 1, 3, 5, 8 and 12 months, the finger skin was cut off and observed under electron microscope. RESULTS The degenerative changes of nerve ending in Meissner’s corpuscles were observed after 1 month of denervation, and the basic structure of the corpuscles had no obvious changes. After 3 months, the axons of corpuscles were disappeared, and the volume of corpuscles was shrunk. The basic structure of nerves was disappeared, and the lemmocyte and neurolemma plate were changed after 5 months. The collagen fibrils in the corpuscles were gradually increased in 8 months, the endoneurial structure and interneurial matrix were completely disappeared and replaced by collagen fibrils in 12 months. After 3 months of nerve implantation, unmyelinated nerve fibers were appeared and grew into the corpuscles. A part of corpuscles innervated in 5 months. Most of corpuscles innervated and myelinated nerve fibers were observed in 8 months. And in 12 months, corpuscles innervated to normal level. CONCLUSION The implantative sensory nerve by means of reinnervating the original corpuscles and regenerating new corpuscles could innervate the degenerative Meissner’s corpuscles.
Objective To evaluate the expressive varieties of Nogo-A mRNA in injured optic nerves of rats. Methods Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was used to hemi-quantitatively analyze the levels of Nogo-A mRNA in the optic nerves 3, 7, 9, 15, 21, and 25 days respectively after injury.Results The level of the expression of Nogo-A mRNA was low in the normal optic nerves, while it was significantly high in the optic nerves 3 days after in jury, and kept the high level still after 25 days.Conclusion The expression of Nogo-A mRNA in injured optic nerves is increased. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：201-268)
Objective To establish an animal model for repairing the sciatic nerve defect with a biodegradable poly D,L-lactic acid/nerve growth factor (PDLLA/NGF) that can control the release conduit in rats and to observe an effect of the conduit on the sciatic nerve regeneration. Methods The PDLLA conduit and the PDLLA/NGF-controlled release conduit (NGF 450 U per conduit) were madewith the solvent-volatilixation method. Forty male SD rats were randomly and equally divided into 4 groups. The middle segments (10 mm) of the sciatic nerves of the rats were excised and were then repaired with the sciatic nerve autograft(Group A), with the PDLLA conduit (Group B), with the PDLLA conduit and an injection of NGF (30 U) into the conduit (Group C), and with the PDLLA/NGF controlled-release conduit (Group D), respectively, with the 10-mm nerve defect left behind. Three months after operation, the morphologic parameters of the nerve regeneration were observed and evaluated under light microscope and electron microscope, and the image analysis was also made. Results Three months after operation, porous adherence between the conduit and the surrounding tissues could be observed. The conduit presented a partial biodegradation but still remainedintact in the outline and the proximal nerve regenerated through the conduit cavity. Based on the histological observation, the quantity, uniformity, and maturity of the nerve fiber regeneration in Groups A and D were better than those in Groups B and C. The image analysis indicated that there were no significant differences in the nerve fiber diameter, axon diameter or myelin thickness between Group A and Group D (P＞0.05). However, all the parameters in Groups A and D were better than those in Groups B and C (P＜0.05). Conclusion The PDLLA/NGF-controlled release conduit can effectively promote the sciatic nerve regeneration of rats. Its morphological index is similar to that of the nerve autograft.
Objective To study the result of using nerve conduit coated with chitin and filled with a guide-fiber to repair peripheral nerve defect. Methods Twenty-four female adult SD rats were made the model of 14 mm-gap on bilateral sciatic nerve under sterile condition. The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=6),group A: polymer polyglycolic-lactic acid(PGLA) nerve conduit coated with chitin and filled with a guide-fiber as experimental group to repair 14 mm gap of rat sciatic nerve；group B: PGLA nerve conduit coated with chitin； group C: PGLA nerve conduit； group D: autograft (control group). The repair result was evaluated by normal observation, EMG testing and S-100 histological immunostaining analysis 4 and 12 weeks after operation.Results Four weeks after the operation，there were new regenerated immature fibers in groups A,B and C, 12 weeks after the operation, the regenerated nerve fibers were seen to have bridged the gap. There were myelinated fibers equably distributed and rarely newgenerated nerve fibers in distal parts of group D. The repair result of PGLA nerve conduit coated with a chitin and filled with guide-fiber was better than that of groups B and C（Plt;0.05）. There was significant difference of nerve fiber diameter，thickness of myelin sheath and fiber density in group D from those in groups A, B and C（Plt;0.05），but there were degenerative changes such as vacuoles insheaths and myelin separation in proximal and few new regenerated nerve fibers in distal parts of group D. Conclusion PGLA nerve conduit coated with chitin and filled with a guide-fiber offers a possible substitute for the repair of peripheral nerve defect.
