Peripheral Nerve Regeneration Using a Nerve Conduit with Olfactory Ensheathing Cells in a Rat Model
10.1007/s13770-020-00326-9
- Author:
Jong-Yoon LEE
1
;
Young-Ho KIM
;
Boo-Young KIM
;
Dae-Hyun JANG
;
Sung-Wook CHOI
;
So-Hyun JOEN
;
Hyungyun KIM
;
Sang-Uk LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, 56 Dongsu-ro, Bupyeong-gu, Incheon 21431, Korea
- Publication Type:O RI G I N A L A R T I C L E
- From:
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
2021;18(3):453-465
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND:Autologous nerve grafts are the gold standard treatment for peripheral nerve injury treatment. However, this procedure cannot avoid sacrificing other nerves as a major limitation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) embedded in a nerve conduit.
METHODS:A 10-mm segment of the sciatic nerve was resected in 21 rats, and the nerve injury was repaired with one of the following (n = 7 per group): autologous nerve graft, poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) conduit and OECs, and PCL conduit only. The consequent effect on nerve regeneration was measured based on the nerve conduction velocity (NCV), amplitude of the compound muscle action potential (ACMAP), wet muscle weight, histomorphometric analysis, and nerve density quantification.
RESULTS:Histomorphometric analysis revealed nerve regeneration and angiogenesis in all groups. However, there were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the ACMAP nerve regeneration rate of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles between the autologous graft (37.9 ± 14.3% and 39.1% ± 20.4%) and PCL only (17.8 ± 8.6% and 13.6 ± 5.8%) groups, and between the PCL only and PCL + OECs (46.3 ± 20.0% and 34.5 ± 14.6%) groups, with no differences between the autologous nerve and PCL + OEC groups (p > 0.05). No significant results in NCV, wet muscle weight, and nerve density quantification were observed among the 3 groups.
CONCLUSION:A PCL conduit with OECs enhances the regeneration of injured peripheral nerves, offering a good alternative to autologous nerve grafts.
