title: Combined use of Y-tube conduits with human umbilical cord stem cells for repairing nerve bifurcation defects.
abstract: Given the anatomic complexity at the bifurcation point of a nerve trunk, enforced suturing between stumps can lead to misdirection of nerve axons, thereby resulting in adverse consequences. We assumed that Y-tube conduits injected with human umbilical cord stem cells could be an effective method to solve such problems, but studies focused on the best type of Y-tube conduit remain controversial. Therefore, the present study evaluated the applicability and efficacy of various types of Y-tube conduits containing human umbilical cord stem cells for treating rat femoral nerve defects on their bifurcation points. At 12 weeks after the bridging surgery that included treatment with different types of Y-tube conduits, there were no differences in quadriceps femoris muscle weight or femoral nerve ultrastructure. However, the Y-tube conduit group with longer branches and a short trunk resulted in a better outcome according to retrograde labeling and electrophysiological analysis. It can be concluded from the study that repairing a mixed nerve defect at its bifurcation point with Y-tube conduits, in particular those with long branches and a short trunk, is effective and results in good outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Medical Center, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Department of Tissue Engineering, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China; Department of Orthopedics, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
authors.forename: Aikeremujiang
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muheremu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
authors.forename: Jun-Gang
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Tissue Engineering, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
authors.forename: Xi-Yuan
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Tissue Engineering, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1309-1971
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ao
authors.affiliation: Institute of Orthopaedics, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Jiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peng
keywords: chemotaxis; human umbilical cord blood stem cell; nerve conduit; nerve regeneration; neural regeneration; peripheral nerve injury; selective nerve regeneration; stem cell transplantation