Rat sciatic nerve regeneration in semipermeable artificial tubes.
The regeneration of the sciatic nerve in Wistar rats across a 10-mm gap, within a semipermeable chamber was examined. The sequence of regeneration can be summarized as follows: (i) formation of a fibrin-containing matrix; (ii) invasion of this matrix by fibroblasts, forming two populations defined by their relative position within the matrix; (iii) the appearance of blood vessels; (iv) bridge formation; and (v) colonization of the bridge by nerve fibers. After 4 weeks, the number of myelinated fibers and the regenerate surface were studied at midtube level. Two and four weeks after the operation, both myelinated and unmyelinated leading fibers were detected and their distances from proximal stump measured. The results approach those reported in the literature for impermeable tubes, but not those obtained for fully permeable ones.
D000179:Acrylates; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D010539:Permeability; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D000179:Acrylates