A study of induction of nerve regeneration using bioabsorbable tubes.
A silicone tube (S-tube) was packed with CPLA (copolymer of poly-L-lactide) fibers (S-tube+CPLA) or collagen fibers (S-tube+fiber). Two types of tube were prepared from a collagen sheet (Col-tube) and a bioabsorbable atelocollagen membrane for guided tissue regeneration (GTR-tube). They were packed with collagen fibers or films (Col-tube+fiber, GTR-tube+fiber and GTR-tube+film). Bridge grafting (15 mm in length) was performed with these tubes in a rat sciatic nerve model. Specimens were harvested after 8 weeks. Minifascicles were formed in the open space between the CPLA fibers in the S-tube+CPLA group. Regenerated axons were also formed in the degenerated collagen fibers in the S-tube+Col group. Immunocytochemistry evaluation revealed that Schwann cells invaded the space in the absorbing collagen fibers. Histologic analysis of the regenerated axons in the groups with Col-tubes or GTR-tubes revealed that both the Col-tube and the GTR-tube packed with collagen fibers were effective in providing a scaffold for regenerating nerve tissue.
Itoh
S
S
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
Takakuda
K
K
Ichinose
S
S
Kikuchi
M
M
Schinomiya
K
K
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003094:Collagen; D004337:Drug Carriers; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004337:Drug Carriers; C059821:atelocollagen; D003094:Collagen