[A functional evaluation on peripheral nerve regeneration enhanced by targeted muscular injection of ciliary neurotrophic factor].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of targeted muscular injection of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) on the regeneration of injured peripheral nerves.


METHODS
The left sciatic nerves of 80 Sprague-Dawley rats were excised to form 6 mm defect and the two ends were bridged by silicone tubes, they were randomly divided into two groups, CNTF group and normal saline (NS) group. The CNTF group was given recombinant human CNTF, 1 mg/kg every other day for 30 days, and the NS group was given equal quantity of normal saline as NS group. The sciatic nerve functional index (SFI), electrophysiological assessment, morphometric analysis of axons, and choleratoxin horseradish peroxidase (CB-HRP) retrograde-labelling were measured postoperatively.


RESULTS
The SFI, electrophysiological parameters (nerve conduction velocity, latency and amplitude of compound muscle action potentials), myelinated axons counts, mean axons diameters and myelin sheath thickness, number of CB-HRP labelled ventral horn motor neurons of spinal cord were significantly higher in CNTF group than that of NS group.


CONCLUSIONS
Targeted muscular injection of CNTF can promote the regeneration of peripheral nerve and improve the nerve functional recovery.
Han
J
J
Department of Hand Surgery, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang Hebei, P. R. China 050051.
Zhang
J
J
Zhang
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D020934:Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology
D020934:Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor