OBJECTIVETo investigate whether or not allografted olfactory mucosa gliacytes could repair peripheral nerve injure.

METHODSOlfactory mucosa gliacytes had been cultured in vitro for 2 weeks, then purified and condensed for later transplantation.Sixty adult female Wistar rats were randomized into 2 groups of 30 rats each, A (control) and B (test). Rats' left sciatic nerves were excised 25 mm long axons and retained epineurium lumen anastomosed to proximal ends. Culture mediums, and olfactory mucosa gliacytes were transplanted into epineurium lumen of A and B groups respectively. At 3 months postoperatively, the regenerations of injured sciatic nerves were evaluated by methods of macroscopy, photomicroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, retro-marked fluorescence red, the condensation of glial fibre acid protein (GFAP) and nerve growth factors (NF) assayed by immunofluorescence, and the concentration of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofilament protein (NF) assayed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSThe regenerations of injured sciatic nerves were superior in B group to in A group; the transportation distance of retro-marked fluorescence red were longer in B group than in A group (P < 0.01). The condensations of GFAP and NGF were more dense in B group than in A group. The concentrations of MBP and NF were more high in B group than in A group (P < 0.01). The function scores of injured limbs were superior in B group to in A group (P < 0.01). The quantifications of nerve fibers and myelin fibers of injured sciatic nerve were larger in B group than in A group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAllografted olfactory mucosa gliacytes could repair injured nerve defect.