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