Neuronal stem cells in facial nerve tissue engineering / 中国耳鼻咽喉头颈外科

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of applying neuronal stem cells to bridging a 10mm long facial nerve defect in rabbits using a tissue engineered artificial nerve. METHODS Thirty-six Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups of 12. Group A chitosan guidance channels with collagen protein sponge were filled with neuronal stem cells and NGF; Group B chitosan guidance channels with collagen protein sponge were filled with NGF; Group C autograft nerve. A series of examinations were performed, including electrophsiological methods, histological staining of nerve, Brdu and S100 immunohistochemical staining, at 12 weeks after operation. RESULTS At 12 weeks after operation, all examination results from Group A were better than from Group B(P0.05). CONCLUSION Neuronal stem cells can be used as seeding cells in peripheral nerve tissue engineering for repairing 10mm facial nerve defects.