title: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and peripheral nerve regeneration: a functional evaluation.
abstract: The potential benefit of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on motor-nerve regeneration after transection injury in 24 adult rats was evaluated after entubulation repair. Gait analysis for ankle angle and tension transduction device (TTD) strain-gauge measurements yielded functional evaluation of regeneration. The BDNF (15 mg/mL) or phosphate buffered saline (control) was injected into the silicone elastomer (Silastic) channel. Gait analysis performed 0, 2, 4, 6, 10, and 12 weeks after injury demonstrated a significant difference between uninjured and injured legs of 23 and 43 degrees, respectively (P<.001, analysis of variance). The TTD evaluation 13 weeks after injury demonstrated a significant decrease in force development of injured compared to uninjured legs, 148 and 58 g, respectively (P<.001). No functional benefits were demonstrated between BDNF-treated versus control-treated animals in either model for a single exposure to BDNF.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology, Southern Illinois University, Springfield, 62794, USA.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Shirley
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins