title: Functional assessment of sciatic nerve recovery: biodegradable poly (DLLA-epsilon-CL) nerve guide filled with fresh skeletal muscle.
abstract: The aim of this study was to compare functional peripheral nerve recovery in the rat sciatic nerve model after reconstruction of a 10-mm gap with a biodegradable poly (DLLA-epsilon-CL) nerve guide, as filled with either fresh skeletal muscle or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). During 24 weeks of recovery, motor and sensory functional evaluation was tested by extensor postural thrust (EPT) and withdrawal reflex latency (WRL), respectively. At the end of the experiment, anesthetized animals were prepared for motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) studies, followed by gastrocnemius and soleus muscle weight measurement. Motor functional recovery was greater in the muscle-grafted group, and reached a significant difference from weeks 8-12 (P < 0.05). The results of this investigation suggest that filling a nerve guide with fresh skeletal muscle induces faster maturation of regenerated nerve fibers in comparison with traditional tubular repair.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinics, CETAV, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal. avarejao@utad.pt
authors.forename: Artur S P
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Varejão
authors.forename: António M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cabrita
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Geuna
authors.forename: João A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Patrício
authors.forename: Horácio R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Azevedo
authors.forename: António J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Marcel F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Meek
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D009431:Neural Conduction; D011091:Polyesters; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; C062968:lactide-caprolactone copolymer