An in vivo study of tricalcium phosphate and glutaraldehyde crosslinking gelatin conduits in peripheral nerve repair.
In order to modulate the mechanical properties of gelatin, we previously developed a biodegradable composite composed by tricalcium phosphate and glutaraldehyde crosslinking gelatin (GTG) feasible for surgical manipulation. In this study, we evaluated the in vivo applications of GTG conduit for peripheral nerve repair. The effect of sciatic nerve reconstruction was compared between resorbable permeable GTG conduits and durable impermeable silicone tubes. Traditional methods of assessing nerve recovery following peripheral nerve repair including histomorphometric and electrophysiologic features were conducted in our study. In addition, autotomy score and sciatic function index (SFI) in walking tract analysis were used as additional parameters for assessing the return of nerve function. Twenty-four weeks after sciatic nerve repair, the GTG conduits were harvested. Microscopically, regeneration of nerves was observed in the cross-section at the mid portion of all implanted GTG conduits. The cross-sectional area of regenerated nerve of the GTG group was significant larger than that of the silicone group. In the compound muscle action potentials (CMAP), the mean recovery index of CMAP amplitude was 0.24 +/- 0.02 for the silicone group, 0.41 +/- 0.07 for the GTG group. The mean SFI increased with time in the GTG group during the evaluation period until 24 weeks. Walking tract analysis showed a higher SFI score in the GTG group at both 12 and 24 weeks. The difference reached a significant level at 24 weeks. Thus, the histomorphometric, electrophysiologic, and functional assessments demonstrate that GTG can be a candidate for peripheral nerve repair.
Chen
Ming-Hong
MH
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 1, Jen-Ai Road, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chen
Pei-Ru
PR
Chen
Mei-Hsiu
MH
Hsieh
Sung-Tsang
ST
Huang
Jing-Shan
JS
Lin
Feng-Huei
FH
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry*; D002417:Cattle; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry*; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry*; D005976:Glutaral / Q000737:chemistry*; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016138:Walking
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D005780:Gelatin; C018392:tricalcium phosphate; D005976:Glutaral