An injectable nerve regeneration chamber for studies of unstable soluble growth factors.
Modern surgical techniques cannot guarantee functional recovery following peripheral nerve injuries. Research into factors that may influence nerve regeneration has therefore assumed a prominent potential therapeutic role. We report here on the development of an approach to allow for direct manipulation of the microenvironment of regenerating peripheral nerve axons. We show that solutions can be delivered directly to this local milieu in vivo and that such a delivery can be performed multiple times over an extended period, potentially facilitating studies of multiple molecular players that act locally. We also demonstrate that the bundle of regenerated axons are amenable to morphological analysis by 21 days and that the injection system remains patent for at least 21 days.
McDonald
D S
DS
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Room 182A, 3330 Hospital Drive, Alta, Calgary, Canada T2N 4N1.
Zochodne
D W
DW
D000818:Animals; D002244:Carbon; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D007267:Injections / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000166:cytology / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012016:Reference Values; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000166:cytology* / Q000293:injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery
D004396:Coloring Agents; D006133:Growth Substances; C028433:chinese ink; D002244:Carbon