Nerve regeneration through biodegradable gelatin conduits in mice.
OBJECTIVE
To test if fabricated gelatin conduits can be used to bridge nerve inter-stump gaps and support regeneration.


METHODS
Experimental laboratory study.


METHODS
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan.


METHODS
Twenty-four adult mice.


METHODS
Mouse's sciatic nerve was resected and both proximal and distal nerve stumps sutured into each end of a gelatin conduit, to bridge a 7-mm gap.


METHODS
Nerve regeneration.


RESULTS
At one week post-implantation, a scaffolding fibrin matrix containing few mononuclear cells formed inside the conduit. At three weeks, a well regenerated nerve composed of myelinated and unmyelinated axons, associated Schwann cells and surrounding perineurial sheath bridged the gap.


CONCLUSIONS
Biodegradable gelatin conduits direct and support nerve regeneration and are therefore promising tools for use in entubulization repair of nerve defects.
Mligiliche
N L
NL
Department of Anatomy and Histology, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, Dar-essalaam, Tanzania.
Tabata
Y
Y
Ide
C
C
D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005780:Gelatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D017348:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Transmission; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015607:Stents
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D005780:Gelatin