title: C3 toxin and poly-DL-lactide-ε-caprolactone conduits in the critically damaged peripheral nervous system: a combined therapeutic approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Peripheral nerve regeneration over longer distances through conduits is limited. In the presented study, critical size nerve gap bridging with a poly-DL-lactide-ε-caprolactone (PLC) conduit was combined with application of C3 toxin to facilitate axonal sprouting.
  
  
  METHODS
  The PLC filled with fibrin (n = 10) and fibrin gel loaded with 1-μg C3-C2I and 2-μg C2II (n = 10) were compared to autologous nerve grafts (n = 10) in a 15-mm sciatic nerve gap lesion model of the rat. Functional and electrophysiological analyses were performed before histological evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Evaluation of motor function and nerve conduction velocity at 16 weeks revealed no differences between the groups. All histological parameters and muscle weight were significantly elevated in nerve graft group. No differences were observed in both PLC groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PLCs are permissive for nerve regeneration over a 15-mm defect in rats. Intraluminal application of C3 toxin did not lead to significant enhancement of nerve sprouting.
authors: From the *Clinic of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, BG Trauma Center, Ludwigshafen; †Clinic for Neurology, Ortenau Klinikum Lahr-Ettenheim, Lahr; and ‡Clinic of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
authors: Nico
authors: N
authors: Leibig
authors: Veronika
authors: V
authors: Boyle
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Kraus
authors: Gerhard Bjoern
authors: GB
authors: Stark
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: Penna
mesh_terms: D036002:ADP Ribose Transferases / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000379:methods*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D018373:Peripheral Nervous System Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011091:Polyesters; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D020426:Sciatic Neuropathy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018373:Peripheral Nervous System Agents; D011091:Polyesters; C062968:lactide-caprolactone copolymer; D036002:ADP Ribose Transferases; C063007:exoenzyme C3, Clostridium botulinum; D001905:Botulinum Toxins