title: Nerve growth factor: increased angiogenesis without improved nerve regeneration.
abstract: Nerve growth factor (NGF) and laminin are important factors for neural development and regeneration. We examined the effects of increasing the local concentration and duration of action of NGF and laminin on peripheral nerve regeneration in the adult mouse sciatic nerve. A Silastic (silicone rubber) channel with intraluminal NGF solution was secured between transected nerve ends. The second channel tested, formed from a polysaccharide called chitosan, was prepared with NGF and laminin in the channel walls and provided a sustained release of NGF. At six weeks post-implantation, no improvement in nerve regeneration was identified in those channels prepared with NGF when comparing electromyographic thresholds (microA), maximum potentials (mV), nerve diameter, myelin sheath thickness, myelinated axon counts, or diameter. However, increased angiogenesis was demonstrated within the chitosan and Silastic channels prepared with NGF compared to those channels without NGF. Silastic exhibited minimal inflammation. Chitosan was associated with inflammation in many nerve channels.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology, Southern Illinois University, Springfield 62794-9230.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Winterowd
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bothwell
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Rubel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002686:Chitin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D048271:Chitosan; D004576:Electromyography; D007797:Laminin / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012828:Silicones
chemical_list: D007797:Laminin; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D012828:Silicones; D002686:Chitin; D048271:Chitosan