title: Evaluation of PRGD/FK506/NGF conduits for peripheral nerve regeneration in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Both tacrolimus (FK506) and nerve growth factor (NGF) enhance peripheral nerve regeneration, and in vitro experimental results demonstrate that the combination of FK506 and NGF increased neurite outgrowth compared with either treatment alone.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine if the combination of FK506 and NGF benefits peripheral nerve regeneration compared with either treatment alone in vivo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rat sciatic nerves were cut off to form a 10 mm defect and repaired with the nerve conduits. All of the 32 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Group A: RGD peptide modification of poly{(lactic acid)-co-[(glycolic acid)-alt-(L-lysine)]} (PRGD)/FK506/NGF; Group B: PRGD/FK506; Group C: PRGD/NGF; and Group D: autologous nerves.
  
  
  METHODS
  At 3 months after surgery, the regenerated rat sciatic nerve was evaluated by electrophysiology, calf triceps wet weight recovery rate, and histologic assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The SPSS 10.0 software (Bizinsight, Beijing China) was used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) of groups A and D were significantly stronger than those of groups B and C. The calf triceps wet weight recovery rate of groups A and D were higher than those of groups B and C. The regenerated nerves of groups A and D were more mature than those of groups B and C. There was no significant difference between groups A and D.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PRGD/FK506/NGF sustained-release nerve conduits are more effective in regenerating nerves than both PRGD/FK506 sustained-release nerve conduits and PRGD/NGF sustained-release nerve conduits. The effect is as good as that of an autograft.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Materials and Engineering Center, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Huang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jifeng
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dezhong
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qiongjiao
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huayong
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shipu
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects; D016501:Neurites / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016716:PC12 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D011913:Rats, Inbred BB; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D020426:Sciatic Neuropathy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009842:Oligopeptides; C047981:arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D016559:Tacrolimus