Tissue engineering of nanosilver-embedded peripheral nerve scaffold to repair nerve defects under contamination conditions.
BACKGROUND
We employed a nanosilver-collagen scaffold and tested its effects on inhibiting bacteria and facilitating nerve regeneration.


METHODS
Based on our previous research, we prepared bionic scaffolds with different concentrations of nanosilver and examined their internal structures by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. We implanted these scaffolds or autologous nerve grafts into rats to repair a 10-mm injury of the sciatic nerve.


RESULTS
The 2 mg/ml group showed a >10 mm bacterial inhibition zone in all 3 types of bacterial culture dishes. At day 60 postsurgery, the 2 mg/ml group also showed the highest amplitude of evoked potential (AMP) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV). The regenerating nerves in the 2 mg/ml group were denser and more mature, and with thicker and well-arrayed myelin sheath.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that nanosilver scaffolds (2 mg/ml group) were effective in inhibiting bacteria both in vitro and in vivo, and reduced the contamination-caused immune responses, which in turn promoted nerve regeneration and functional recovery.
Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an - PR China.
Tan
T
Ding
Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an - PR China.
Jun-Bin
JB
Yin
Institute of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an - PR China.
Hu-Ping
HP
Hao
Institute of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an - PR China.
Chao
C
Zhu
Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an - PR China.
Ting
T
Zhang
Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an - PR China.
Ya-Cheng
YC
Lu
Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an - PR China.
Li-Ying
LY
Wang
Institute of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an - PR China.
Zhe
Z
Wang
Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an - PR China.
Yun-Qing
YQ
Li
D000818:Animals; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D023421:Models, Animal; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology; D053758:Nanoparticles; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D009929:Organ Size; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000293:injuries / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012834:Silver / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
D012834:Silver