Plasma polypyrrole implants recover motor function in rats after spinal cord transection.
We studied the use of three biocompatible materials obtained by plasma polymerization of pyrrole (PPy), pyrrole doped with iodine (PPy/I) and a copolymer formed with pyrrole and polyethylene glycol (PPy/PEG), implanted, separately, after a complete spinal cord transection in rats. Motor function assessed with the BBB scale and somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) in the implanted rats were studied. Results showed that the highest motor recovery was obtained in rats with PPy/I implants. They also showed a significant reduction in the latency of SEPs. Histological analyses showed no signs of implant rejection; on the contrary, implants based on PPy improved the SEPs conduction and motor function after lesion.
Departamento de Física, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Carr. México-Toluca, km 36.5, CP 52750 Ocoyoacac, Edo. Mex., Mexico.
Guillermo J
GJ
Cruz
Rodrigo
R
Mondragón-Lozano
Araceli
A
Diaz-Ruiz
Joaquín
J
Manjarrez
Roberto
R
Olayo
Hermelinda
H
Salgado-Ceballos
Maria-Guadalupe
MG
Olayo
Juan
J
Morales
Laura
L
Alvarez-Mejía
Axayacatl
A
Morales
Marisela
M
Méndez-Armenta
Noel
N
Plascencia
Maria
M
del Carmen Fernandez
Camilo
C
Ríos
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; D005260:Female; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D058626:Plasma Gases; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D058626:Plasma Gases; D011108:Polymers; D011758:Pyrroles; C067635:polypyrrole