Objective To study the protocol that rat bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) can be induced to differentiate into Schwann cell-like in vitro. Methods BMSCs were treated with beta-mercaptoethanol followed by retinoic acid and cultured in the presence of forskolin,basic-FGF,PDGF and heregulin. The positive percentages of GFAP,S-100 protein expression were measured by immunocytochemistry SABC staining. Results After the induction,BMSCs displayed morphologies of Schwann cell,such as ellipsoidal cell bodies and fences-like array,with two or three sligh cell processes. The positive percentages of GFAP protein expression was from 42.5% to 68.7%,S-100 was from 39.6% to 60.2%. Conclusions Rat BMSCs could be induced to Schwann cell-like by beta-mercaptoethanol,retinoic acid,forskolin,basic-FGF,PDGF and heregulin

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of using induced bone marrow stromal cells into a tissue-engineered bioartificial nerve on bridging a 10mm long sciatic nerve defect Methods Twenty-eight F344 female rats weighing 160～200 g were randomly divided into four groups of nerve grafting,with 7 rats in each group A group:PLGA tubes with an intrinsic framework were seeded with syngeneic bone marrow stromal cells induced 5 days;B group:PLGA tubes with an intrinsic framework were seeded with syngeneic Schwann cells;C group:PLGA tubes were only filled with an intrinsic framework;D group:autografts Three months later,a series of examinations were performed,including:electrophysiological methods,Walking trace's analysis,hisotological staining of nerves,S-100 and neurofilament immunostaining and axon counts Results At 12 weeks after the operations,all the examinations of A group were better than C group( P 0.05). Conclusions Induced bone marrow stromal cells as seeding cells for peripheral nerve tissue engineering were used to repair 10mm nerve gap,the outcome was satisfied.

ObjectiveTo adopt a new suture technique the core long-distance buried for repair of flexor tendon rupture which was designed by author and could lessen adhesion.Methods60 human cadaver flexor digitorum tendons were divided into 3 groups and sewed by core long-distance buried suture, Kessler's technique and Bunnell's technique respectively. Instron-testing machine was used to test gap formation force, 2 mm gap formation force and maximum load. 30 hen second and third toe flexor profundus tendons were divided into 2 groups, each group of tendons were transected and repaired by core long-distance buired suture and Kessler's technique respectively. Information of tendon healing and tendon adhesion was observed in the 3rd, 4th and 6th weeks after operation.ResultsIn the group of using core long-distance buried suture technique, the gap formation, 2 mm gap formation and maximum load in were higher than that using Kessler's technique and Bunnell's technique, the effects of lessening adhesion and promoting tendon healing were better than that in the Kessler's technique group.ConclusionCore long-distance buried suture can offer great tensile strength needed by clinic, and allow early motion and lessen adhesion after operation.

AIM: To detect the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), transforming growth factor-?_1 (TGF-?_1) and ?-smooth muscle actin (?-SMA) in rat unilateral ureteral obstructive (UUO) nephropathy animal model, and to observe the kinetic changes at different stages of firosis. METHODS: Male SD rats were subjected to either left ureteral ligation or sham operation, then killed at 3, 7, 14, 21 or 28 days after UUO or sham operation (n=6 at each time point). HE, Masson or PAS staining were applied to the renal tissue sections. The extent of tubulointerstitial injury was determined by Banff classification. RESULTS: The extent of tubulinterstitial fibrosis became serious with the time of obstruction. Tubules were mostly atropic and replaced by proliferative fibrous tissue at day 28. The expression of CTGF and ?-SMA were consistent with the damage of tubulointerstitial. The positive correlation among CTGF or ?-SMA and the tubulointerstitial injury scores were significant. The expression of TGF-?_1 came to peak at day 7 to 14, and gradually decreased at day 21 and 28. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the expression of CTGF may be upregulated by TGF-? in UUO rats, and CTGF may be involved in tubulointerstitial fibrosis through the development of myofibroblasts.