title: Neuronal quantification in cold-preserved nerve allografts and treatment with FK-506 through osmotic pumps compared to nerve autografts.
abstract: Nerve regeneration across nerve autografts was compared to cold-preserved nerve allografts and treatment with FK-506. The tibial branch of the rat sciatic nerve was transected and immediately repaired with nerve autografts and allografts. FK-506 was administered for 4 weeks through osmotic pumps to different groups of both auto- and allograft cases. The nerves of two allografted groups were preserved with University of Wisconsin Cold Storage Solution (UWCSS) for 3 weeks. Quantification of retrograde-labelled motoneurons and axonal counts was performed. Nerve regeneration through nerve allografts treated with FK-506 or UWCSS was similar to the regeneration obtained when non-treated nerve autografts were used. However, there was no additive effect of the two treatments, and neither FK-506 nor UWCSS improved the number of gamma motoneurons. Both UWCSS and FK-506 administration with osmotic pumps was effective in improving nerve regeneration in allografts, achieving a level comparable to that obtained in non-grafted control cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Clínica Universitaria, Universidad de Navarra, Spain.
authors.forename: Bernardo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hontanilla
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yeste
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aubá
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gorría
mesh_terms: D000241:Adenosine; D000493:Allopurinol; D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D003080:Cold Temperature; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000637:transplantation*; D005978:Glutathione; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007328:Insulin; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000473:pathology; D011887:Raffinose; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014021:Tissue Preservation; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007328:Insulin; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions; C055206:University of Wisconsin-lactobionate solution; D000493:Allopurinol; D005978:Glutathione; D000241:Adenosine; D011887:Raffinose; D016559:Tacrolimus