Improvement of peripheral nerve defects using a silicone conduit filled with hepatocyte growth factor.
OBJECTIVE
To assess local effects of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on peripheral nerve repair in a rat sciatic nerve transection model.


METHODS
Sixty male, healthy, white Wistar rats were randomized into 4 experimental groups: In the sham-operated group, sciatic nerve was exposed and manipulated. In the transected control group, the left sciatic nerve was transected. In the silicone graft group (SIL), a 10-mm defect was made and bridged using a silicone tube. The graft was filled with phosphate-buffered saline in the SIL group and with HGF in the SIL/HGF group.


RESULTS
Behavioral testing, sciatic nerve functional study, gastrocnemius muscle mass measurement, and morphometric indices found earlier regeneration of axons in the SIL/HGF than in the SIL group (P < .05). Immunohistochemical study clearly found more positive location of reactions to S-100 in the SIL/HGF group than in the SIL group.


CONCLUSIONS
HGF may have clinical implications for the surgical management of patients after facial nerve transection.
Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran. Electronic address: r.mohammadi@urmia.ac.ir.
Rahim
R
Mohammadi
Masoume
M
Masoumi-Verki
Sima
S
Ahsan
Azadeh
A
Khaleghjoo
Keyvan
K
Amini
D000818:Animals; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000601:surgery; D012828:Silicones
D012828:Silicones; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor