Evaluation of PRGD/FK506/NGF conduits for peripheral nerve regeneration in rats.
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.
Jifeng
Huang
H
Biomedical Materials and Engineering Center, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China.
Dezhong
Li
L
Qiongjiao
Yan
Y
Huayong
Zheng
Z
Shipu
Li
L
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*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009842:Oligopeptides; C047981:arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D016559:Tacrolimus