title: Neural regeneration in a novel nerve conduit across a large gap of the transected sciatic nerve in rats with low-level laser phototherapy.
abstract: This study proposes a biodegradable nerve conduit comprising 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) cross-linked gelatin annexed with β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) ceramic particles (EDC-gelatin-TCP, EGT). For this study, the EGT-implant site in rats was irradiated using 660-nm GaAlAsP laser diodes (50 mW) for trigger point therapy to investigate the use of low-level laser (LLL) stimulation in the regeneration of a 15-mm transected sciatic nerve. Animals were divided into three groups: a control group undergoing autologous nerve graft (autograft); a sham-irradiated group (EGT), and an experimental group undergoing laser stimulation (EGT/LS). Two trigger points on the surgical incision along the sciatic nerve were irradiated transcutaneously for 2 min daily for 10 consecutive days. Twelve weeks after implantation, walking track analysis showed a significantly higher sciatic functional index (SFI; p < 0.05) and improved toe spreading development in the autograft and EGT/LS groups, compared to the EGT group. In the electrophysiological measurement, the mean recovery index (peak amplitude and area) of the compound muscle action potential curves in the autograft and EGT/LS groups showed significantly improved functional recovery than in the EGT group (p < 0.05). Compared with the EGT group, the autograft and EGT/LS groups showed a reduction in muscular atrophy. Histomorphometric assessments showed that the EGT/LS group had undergone more rapid nerve regeneration than the EGT group. Therefore, motor function, electrophysiological reaction, muscular reinnervation, and histomorphometric assessments demonstrate that LLL therapy can accelerate the repair of a 15-mm transected peripheral nerve in rats after being bridged with the EGT nerve conduit.
authors: Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China; Department of Neurosurgery, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors: Chiung-Chyi
authors: CC
authors: Shen
authors: Yi-Chin
authors: YC
authors: Yang
authors: Tsung-Bin
authors: TB
authors: Huang
authors: Shiuh-Chuan
authors: SC
authors: Chan
authors: Bai-Shuan
authors: BS
authors: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D064592:Autografts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000378:metabolism; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009993:Osmium Tetroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D011182:Postoperative Care; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D009993:Osmium Tetroxide
keywords: low-level laser; nerve conduit; neural regeneration; peripheral nerve injury; sciatic nerve