title: Earthworm extracts facilitate PC12 cell differentiation and promote axonal sprouting in peripheral nerve injury.
abstract: The present study provides in vitro and in vivo evaluations of earthworm (Pheretima aspergilum) on peripheral nerve regeneration. In the in vitro study, we found the earthworm (EW) water extracts caused a marked enhancement of the nerve growth factor-mediated neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells as well as the expressions of growth associated protein 43 and synapsin I. In the in vivo study, silicone rubber chambers filled with EW extracts were used to bridge a 10 mm sciatic nerve defect in rats. Eight weeks after implantation, the group receiving EW extracts had a much higher success percentage of regeneration (90%) compared to the control (60%) receiving the saline. In addition, quantitative histology of the successfully regenerated nerves revealed that myelinated axons in EW group at 31.25 microg/ml was significantly more than those in the controls (p < 0.05). These results showed that EW extracts can be a potential growth-promoting factor on regenerating peripheral nerves.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chao-Tsung
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jaung-Geng
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Tung-Wu
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Fuu-Jen
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Chih-Yang
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Chun-Hsu
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Yueh-Sheng
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004594:Electrophysiology; D051379:Mice; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D016501:Neurites / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000737:chemistry*; D016716:PC12 Cells; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014020:Tissue Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014020:Tissue Extracts