RESUMO
Objective: to determine the effects of methylprednisolone-laden hydrogel loaded into a chitosan conduit on the functional recovery of peripheral nerve using a rat sciatic nerve regeneration model was assessed
Methods10- :mm sciatic nerve defect was bridged using a chitosan conduit [CHIT/CGP-Hydrogel] filled with CGP-hydrogel. In authograft group [AUTO] a segment of sciatic nerve was transected and reimplanted reversely. In methylprednisolone treated group [CHIT/MP] the conduit was filled with methylprednisoloneladen CGP-hydrogel. The regenerated fibers were studied within 16 weeks after surgery
Results: the behavioral, functional and electrophysiological studies confirmed faster recovery of the regenerated axons in methylprednisolone treated group compared to CHIT/Hydrogel group [p<0.05]. The mean ratios of gastrocnemius muscles weight were measured. There was statistically significant difference between the muscle weight ratios of CHIT/MP and CHIT/Hydrogel groups [p<0.05]. Morphometric indices of regenerated fibers showed number and diameter of the myelinated fibers were significantly higher in CHIT/MP than in CHIT/Hydrogel group
Conclusion: methylprednisolone-laden hydrogel when loaded in a chitosan conduit resulted in improvement of functional recovery and quantitative morphometric indices of sciatic nerve
RESUMO
Objective: to assess the effect of heparin binding neurotrophic factor [HBNF] on sciatic nerve regeneration in animal model of rat
Methods: seventy-five male Wistar rats were divided into five experimental groups randomly [each group containing 15 animals]: Sham operation group [SHAM], autograft group [AUTO], transected control [TC], chitosan conduit [CHIT] and heparin binding neurotrophic factor treated group [CHIT/HBNF]. In AUTO group a segment of sciatic nerve was transected and reimplanted reversely. In SHAM group sciatic nerve was exposed and manipulated. In transected group left sciatic nerve was transected and stumps were fixed in adjacent muscle [TC]. In treatment group defect was bridged using a chitosan conduit [CHIT] filled with 10 [micro]L [0.1 mg/mL] HBNF [CHIT/HBNF]. Each group was subdivided into four subgroups of five animals each and nerve fibers were studied in a 12-week period
Results: behavioral, functional, biomechanical, electrophysiological and gastrocnemius muscle mass findings and morphometric indices confirmed faster recovery of regenerated axons in treatment group than in CHIT group [p=0.001]. Immunohistochemical reactions to S-100 in treatment group were more positive than that in CHIT group
Conclusion: local administration of HBNF improved functional recovery and morphometric indices of sciatic nerve. It could be considered as an effective treatment for peripheral nerve repair in practice