Influences of mechanical properties and permeability on chitosan nano/microfiber mesh tubes as a scaffold for nerve regeneration.
We have developed chitosan nonwoven micro/nanofiber mesh tubes and examined the effects of their mechanical strength and permeability on nerve regeneration. Chitosan nano/microfibrous tubes with a deacetylation rate (DAc) of 78% or 93% were prepared by electrospinning. A chitosan film tube with a DAc of 93% was also fabricated and combined with the nano/microfibrous tubes to form bilayered tubes with a nano/microfiber mesh inner structure and a film outer layer. Nano/microfiber mesh tubes with a DAc of 78% or 93%, bilayered tubes with a nano/microfiber mesh inner structure with a DAc of 78% or 93% and a film outer layer with a DAc of 93%, and film tubes with a DAc of 93% were each tested as bridge grafts into injured rat sciatic nerve. Isografting was performed as a control. Although the functional recovery of motor activity was delayed in each group, sensory function reemerged first in the isograft group followed by the group receiving nano/microfiber mesh tubes with a DAc of 93%. Histological analysis was consistent with these results. The chitosan nano/microfiber mesh tubes with a DAc of 93% have sufficient mechanical properties to preserve tube space, provide a better scaffold for cell migration and attachment, and facilitate humoral permeation to enhance nerve regeneration.
Wang
Wei
W
Department of Plastic Surgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Yushima 1-5-45, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan.
Itoh
Soichiro
S
Matsuda
Atsushi
A
Ichinose
Shizuko
S
Shinomiya
Kenichi
K
Hata
Yuiro
Y
Tanaka
Junzo
J
D000107:Acetylation; D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000502:physiology; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010539:Permeability; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology; D013718:Tensile Strength; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D014034:Toes / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology
D048271:Chitosan