ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:Olfactory ensheathing cells can promote the repair of the central nervous system. Composite engineering materials prepared by the combination of chitosan and col agen have been widely used in the construction of tissue-engineered nerve conduits. OBJECTIVE:To explore the repair effect of olfactory ensheathing cells and chitosan in the treatment of sciatic nerve injury in rats. METHODS:Rat models of sciatic nerve injury were prepared. Olfactory ensheathing cells combined with chitosan scaffold were used to connect the injured sciatic nerve. In the chitosan scaffold group, only the chitosan scaffold was utilized. In the control group, no treatment was done. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 1-4 weeks fol owing surgery, sciatic functional index and motion evoked potential were monitored and histological examination was performed. Sciatic functional index was significantly improved in the olfactory ensheathing cells+chitosan scaffold group (P<0.05). Motion evoked potential was significantly lower in the olfactory ensheathing cells+chitosan scaffold group compared with other groups (P<0.001). Histological examinations showed new nerve fibers and rare inflammatory reaction in the olfactory ensheathing cells+chitosan scaffold group. These findings indicate that autologous olfactory ensheathing cells combined with chitosan scaffold exerts good repair effects on treatment of sciatic nerve injury, and can be considered as an ideal tissue engineering material.