ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the results of graft repair of peripheral nerve defects using small intestinal submucosa(SIS) with crude Schwann cells. Methods Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups,with 12 in each group.Firstly,12-mm gaps of sciatic nerve were made in rats and then treated respectively with porcine SIS(group A),SIS compounded with crude Schwann cells(group B) and auto-nerve grafting(group C) in the three groups.The grafts were harvested 16 weeks postoperatively to evaluate the results of nerve regeneration through histological examination, triceps surae weight,computerized imaging analysis,Trueblue retrograde tracing and transmission electron microscopy. Results Nerve regeneration was confirmed to have extended through the gaps according to the results of histological examination,Trueblue retrograde tracing and transmission electron microscopy.Furthermore,in the respect of triceps surae weight,quantity of axis cylinder per area and percentage of neural tissue,the results of group B and group C were superior to those of group A with a significantly statistical difference(P0.05). Conclusion SIS compounded crude Schwann cells was able to achieve the outcome of auto-nerve grafting and was a promising replacement graft.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe adhesion and growth of Sehwann cells(SCs) on small intestinal submueosa(SIS) and study the bioeompatibility of SIS with SCs.Methods The SCs of SD neonate rat were isolated and cultured in vitro,then were seeded on prepared SIS.At different times,the adhesion,growth and proliferation of SCs on SIS were observed by phase contrast microscope,histological examination,scanning e- lectron microscope and transmission electron microscope.Results By phase contrast microscope,SCs grew well on the edge of SIS after 3 and 5 days.SCs adhered tightly on the surface of SIS after 5 days through histo- logical examination.By scanning electron microscope,on the surface of SIS,SCs grew and adhered actively, prominence of cells body were obvious.They connected end-to-end with each other or arranged in clusters. Protein granules were secreted on cells surface.By transmission electron microscope,SCs grew in good condi- tion and adhered tightly on the surface of SIS.At the interface of SCs and SIS,prominence was seen to contact with SIS in the bottom of cell body.Conclusion SCs are able to adhere and grow well on the surface of SIS.As a scaffold,SIS has good biocompatibility with SCs.