Basic fibroblast growth factor combined with biodegradable hydrogel promotes healing of facial nerve after compression injury: an experimental study.
CONCLUSIONS
Topical application of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) hydrogel facilitates faster healing from traumatic facial paralysis due to continuous release of bFGF.


OBJECTIVE
bFGF is considered a potent agent to facilitate recovery from neuronal damage; however, exogenously applied bFGF does not work well because of its short acting time. To enhance the effects in vivo, we developed a new drug delivery system by embedding bFGF in a gelatin hydrogel that degrades slowly. In this study, the effects of bFGF-hydrogel on traumatic facial nerve paralysis were investigated in guinea pigs.


METHODS
The intratemporal facial nerve was exposed and clamped at the vertical portion using micro needle forceps. The animals were then subjected to one of the following three procedures: group A, no further treatment; group B, one-shot application of bFGF to the nerve; and group C, application of bFGF-hydrogel instead. Six weeks later, facial nerve functions were evaluated by three test batteries: observation of facial movements, electrophysiological testing, and histological study.


RESULTS
The results for groups A and B were similar in the three tests, indicating that one-shot application of bFGF did not benefit facial nerve recovery. In contrast, group C achieved better results in all tests.
Komobuchi
Hayato
H
Department of Otolaryngology, Ehime University School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan.
Hato
Naohito
N
Teraoka
Masato
M
Wakisaka
Hiroyuki
H
Takahashi
Hirotaka
H
Gyo
Kiyofumi
K
Tabata
Yasuhiko
Y
Yamamoto
Masaya
M
D000818:Animals; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D020100:Hydrogels; D009409:Nerve Crush; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D020100:Hydrogels; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2