title: Experimental model for local administration of nerve growth factor in microsurgical nerve reconnections.
abstract: An experimental model for local administration of neuronotrophic substances at the site of peripheral nerve lesion is presented. The model consists of a subcutaneously located silicone reservoir and a connecting tube with its distal end fixed in the proximity of the severed and repaired nerve. The results of the preliminary tests of the model are presented. Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: control (saline-treated) (n = 30) and NGF-treated (n = 30). After axotomy of the sciatic nerve, an epineurial repair is performed. NGF or saline is injected daily into the subcutaneous reservoir during the first 3 weeks after axotomy and a single dose in the fourth week. The regenerated nerve observed in the NGF-treated group after four weeks of treatment presents a greater percentage of myelinated axons, thicker myeline sheaths, and more mature endoneurial layers. This experimental model provides a reliable and quantitative way to deliver neuronotrophic substances in site and at different administration rates.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Surgery Unit, Hospital Universitario del Aire, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: F X
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bilbao
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodrigo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mayoral
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002452:Cell Count; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004343:Drug Implants; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D007322:Instillation, Drug; D007440:Intubation / Q000295:instrumentation; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012828:Silicones; D012965:Sodium Chloride
chemical_list: D004343:Drug Implants; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D012828:Silicones; D012965:Sodium Chloride