OBJECTIVE Following the delayed repair of peripheral nerve injury, the cell number of anterior horn of the spinal cord and its ultrastructural changes, motorneuron and its electrophysiological changes were investigated. METHODS In 16 rabbits the common peroneal nerves of both sides being transected one year later were divided into four groups randomly: the degeneration group and regeneration of 1, 3 and 5 months groups. Another 4 rabbits were used for control. All transected common peroneal nerves underwent epineural suture except for the degeneration group the electrophysiological examination was carried out at 1, 3 and 5 months postoperatively. Retrograde labelling of the anterior horn cells was demonstrated and the cells were observed under light and electronmicroscope. RESULTS 1. The number of labelled anterior horn cell in the spinal cord was 45% of the normal population after denervation for one year (P lt; 0.01). The number of labelled cells increased steadily from 48% to 57% and 68% of normal values at 1, 3 and 5 months following delayed nerve repair (P lt; 0.01). 2. The ultrastructure of the anterior horn cells of the recover gradually after repair. 3. With the progress of regeneration the latency become shortened, the conduction velocity was increased, the amplitude of action potential was increased. CONCLUSION Following delayed repair of injury of peripheral nerve, the morphology of anterior horn cells of spinal cord and electrophysiological display all revealed evidence of regeneration, thus the late repair of injury of peripheral nerve was valid.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nerve regeneration after implantation of chitin tubes containing nerve growth factor(NGF) in the rabbit facial nerve. METHODS: Bilateral 8 mm defect of superior buccal divisions of the facial nerves were made in 16 New Zealand rabbits. Chitin tubes containing NGF were implanted into the gaps, and autologous nerves were implanted into the right gaps as control. The nerve regeneration was evaluated with electrophysiological and ultrastructural examination after 8 and 16 weeks of operation. RESULTS: Chitin tubes containing NGF successfully induced the nerve regeneration, regularly arranged myelinated and unmyelinated axons could be observed across the 8 mm gaps, and the myelin sheath was thick with clear lamellar structure at 8 weeks after operation, The regenerated nerve fibers increased and were more mature at 16 weeks after operation. There were no significant difference in electrical impulse conduction velocity through the neural regeneration between the experimental and control sides (P gt; 0.05). CONCLUSION: Chitin tubes containing NGF can provide optimal conditions for regeneration of rabbit facial nerve.
Objective To explore the effect of controlled release of nerve growth factor (NGF) on peripheral nerve defect repaire by acellular nerve graft. Methods The microspheres of NGF were prepared with drug microsphere technologyand fixed with the fibrin glue to make the compl icated controlled release NGF. Twenty healthy male SD rats weighing 280-300 g were adopted to prepare acellular xenogenous nerve, 52 male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g were adopted to prepare the 10 mm defect model of left sciatic nerve. and thereafter were randomly divided into 4 groups: autograft group(group A), acellular nerve allograft combined with the double controlled release NGF (group B), acellular nerve allograft (group C) and acellular nerve allograft combined with fibrin glue (group D). Without any operation, the right sciatic nerve was regarded as control group. General observation was conducted after operation. The nerve axon regeneration length was measured 2 weeks after operation. The effects of peripheral nerve regeneration were evaluated by neural electrophysiology, the recovery rate of triceps surae muscular tension and weight and histological assessment 16 weeks after operation. Results All the animals survived till the end of experiment. The length of nerve regeneration was measured at 2 weeks after transplantation. The regeneration nerve of group A was longer than that of other groups (P lt; 0.05), group B longer than groups C and D (P lt; 0.05), and there were no difference between group C and group D (P gt; 0.05). At 16 weeks after operation, the recovery rates of nerve conduction velocity of groups A and B (73.37% ± 7.82% and 70.39% ± 8.45%) were larger than that of groups C and D (53.51% ± 6.31% and 55.28% ± 5.37%) (P lt; 0.05). The recovery rates of the triceps surae muscular tension in group A (85.33% ± 5.59%) were larger than that in groups B, C and D (69.79% ± 5.31%, 64.46% ± 8.49％ and 63.35% ± 6.40%) (P lt; 0.05). There were no significant differences among groups B, C and D (P gt; 0.05). The recovery rates of the triceps surae weight in group A (62.54% ± 8.25%) werelarger than that in groups B, C and D (53.73% ± 4.56%, 46.37% ± 5.68% and 45.78% ± 7.14%, P lt; 0.05). There was significant difference between group B and groups C, D (P lt; 0.05) and no significant differences between group C and group D (P gt; 0.05). The histological observation indicated that axon number and myel in thickness in group B were larger than those in group C and group D (P lt; 0.05). The axonal diameter in group B was significantly less than that in group A (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Acellular nerve graft combined with the controlled release NGF is a satisfactory alternative to repair the peripheral nerve defect.
Objective To study the biological activities ofthe nerve regeneration conditioned fluid (NRCF), especially to further separateand identify the protein bands of the relative molecular mass of (232-440)×103. Methods The silicone nerve regeneration chambers were implanted between the cut ends of the sciatic nerve in 6 New Zealand white rabbits (weight, 1.8-2.5 kg). The proteins in NRCF were separated by the native-polycrylamide gel electrophoresis (Native-PAGE), the protein bands of the relative molecular mass of (232-440)×103 were analyzed by the Shotgun technique, liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry. Results The Native-PAGE result showed that there was 1 protein band of the relative molecular mass over 669×103, (232-440)×103 and (140-232)×103,respectively, and 6 bands of the relative molecular mass of (67-140)×103.Besides, 54 proteins were identified with at least 2 distinct peptides in 1 protein band of the relative molecular mass of (232-440)×103, including 4 unnamed protein products, mainly at the isoelectric points of 5.5-8.0 and of the relative molecular mass of (10-40)×103. Based on their functions in the protein database, allthe identified proteins in this study were classified into the following 5 groups: conjugated protein (43%), transport protein (30%), enzyme (6%), signal transducer (4%), and molecular function-unknown protein (17%). At the subcellular localization of the identified proteins, there was mainly a secreted protein (63%), and the remaining proteins were localized in the membrane and cytoplasm. Conclusion Native-PAGE and the Shotgun technique can effectively separate and identify proteins from NRCF, and can identify the components of the protein band of the relative molecular mass of (232-440)×103 and provide basicinformation on the unnamed protein products in NRCF.
Objective To investgate the effects of neurotrophic factor 3 (NT-3) genes modified SC on facil itating nerve regeneration and protecting neuronal survival after the sciatic nerve transection in rats. Methods The double sciatic nerves were harvested from 3-day-old Wistar rats and the SCs were separated, cultured and purified with double enzyem digestion and adherent culture. The third generation purified SCs were used. The NT-3 cDNA gene was transfected into culturedSCs by using cationic l iposome. The NT-3 expression were identified by ELISA after 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks. The plasmids expressing NT-3 genes were transfected into SCs with l ipofectamine. The purity of SCs were detecting before and after modified with NT-3. The nerve-grafting complexes were constructed by SCs (3 × 107/mL) modified NT-3, third generation SCs (3 × 107/mL), NT-3 gene, respectively. And the nerve-grafting complexes were combined with ECM gel and PLGA conduit. Forty-eight adult SD rats were made the models of the right sciatic nerve defect (10 mm). According to the nerve-grafting complexes which were repaired the sciatic nerve defects, the models were divided into 4 groups randomly (n=12): group A (ECM gel and PLGA conduits), group B (SC, ECM gel and PLGA conduits), group C (NT-3 gene, ECM gel and PLGA conduits) and group D (NT-3 modified SC, ECM gel and PLGA conduits). At 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks after operation, the nerve gross were observed. Electrophysiological examination, histological observation and transmission electron microscope observation were performed at 12 weeks after operation. Results The concentrations of NT-3 protein were 0.39 ± 0.25, 0.76 ± 0.22, 1.06 ± 0.38 and 1.61 ± 0.35 at 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after operation; showing statistically significant differences (P lt; 0.05). The purity of SCs was 94.7% ± 2.1% and 95.6% ± 2.5% before and after modified with NT-3, respectively; showing a statistically significant difference (P lt; 0.05). The feet of injury rats began inflammation and ulcer, which healed at 12 weeks in group D, followed by groups C and B, but which was serious in group A gradually. The observations of gross, sections under microscope and transmission electron microscope at 12 weeks showed the regeneration of defect nerve was best in group D, followed by groups C and B, and group A was worst. There were statistically significant differences (P lt; 0.05) in latent period, ampl itude, motor nerve conduction velocity, the number and thickness of axon, the diameter of nerve fiber, the percentage of the nerve tissue area between group A and groupsB, C, D, between groups B, C and group D at 12 weeks. At 12 weeks after operation, the transmission electron microscope showed observation the maturation of medullary sheath was best in group D, followed by groups C and B, and group A was worst. Conclusion The nerve-grafting complex of NT-3 genes modified SCs could repair injured nerve. The competence is superior to SCs and neurotrophic factors.
Basing on the experimental results, 48 nerve defects (with the length of 3-4 cm in 21 cases, 4.1-5cm in 25 cases and 6cm in 2 cases) were repaired clinically by using vaseularized nerve sheath canal with living Schwann s cells, 87.5 percent of them obtained good results. The advantages were: (1) The neural sheath had rich blood supply with resultant less scar from its healing; (2) The living Schwann s cells would secrete somatomedin to promote the reproduction of neural tissues; and (3) The useless neurofib...
OBJECTIVE To observe the degeneration and regeneration of the Meissner’s corpuscles after implanted sensory nerve into the denervated monkey’s fingers under electron microscope. METHODS The two finger nerves of the monkey’s fingers were denervated. Afterwards, one finger nerve was cut off, and the other was reimplanted into the denervated finger. After 1, 3, 5, 8 and 12 months, the finger skin was cut off and observed under electron microscope. RESULTS The degenerative changes of nerve ending in Meissner’s corpuscles were observed after 1 month of denervation, and the basic structure of the corpuscles had no obvious changes. After 3 months, the axons of corpuscles were disappeared, and the volume of corpuscles was shrunk. The basic structure of nerves was disappeared, and the lemmocyte and neurolemma plate were changed after 5 months. The collagen fibrils in the corpuscles were gradually increased in 8 months, the endoneurial structure and interneurial matrix were completely disappeared and replaced by collagen fibrils in 12 months. After 3 months of nerve implantation, unmyelinated nerve fibers were appeared and grew into the corpuscles. A part of corpuscles innervated in 5 months. Most of corpuscles innervated and myelinated nerve fibers were observed in 8 months. And in 12 months, corpuscles innervated to normal level. CONCLUSION The implantative sensory nerve by means of reinnervating the original corpuscles and regenerating new corpuscles could innervate the degenerative Meissner’s corpuscles.
Schwanns cells were obtained from the distal end of the sciatic nerve following Wallerian degeneration of SD rats. These cells were cultured with the anteriorhorn neuron of spinal cord of 14dayold SD rat fetus. The two kinds of cells were separated by a slice. Through the microscope, the dendrites and the morphology changes at the 24th, 48th, 72th, and 96 th hour after culture were observed. It was demonstrated that the Schwanns cells played the role of maintaining the survival of neuron and promoting the growth of dendrites. It was said that the Schwanns cells could secrete neurotrophic factor which made the body enlarged and caused the dendrites enlonged to several times of the body.
A comparative study of four methods of laryngeal muscle reinnervation in dogs is presented. Twenty-eight cases were divided into four groups to undergo main branch and branch of ansa cervicalis nerve anastomosis, and nerves implantation an neuromuscular pedicles transfer respectively for restoration of vocal cord adduction on left sides. The results showed that the four procedures seemed to induce effective reinnervation of adductor muscles. But the main branch of ansa cervicalis nerve suture was superior to the other methods among which little difference was noted in the functional recovery, electrophysiological activity and muscle strength. It demonstrated that main branch of ansa nerve suture was the best procedure for treatment of unilateral vocal cord paralysis among the four methods.
Objective To separate each protein band from the nerve regeneration conditioned fluid(NRCF）and to study whether there are somenew and unknown neurotrophic factors in the protein bands with a relative molecular mass of 220×103. Methods The silicone nerve regenerationchambers were formed in the sciatic nerve of the 25 New Zealand rabbits (weight,1.8-2.5 kg), and NRCF was taken from it at 1 week after operation. The Nativepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Native-PAGE) was used for separating the proteins from NRCF and detecting the relative molecular mass. The Western blot and ELISA were used to observe whether the protein bands ［220×103 (Band a), (20-40)×103(Band c)］ of NRCF could combine with the antibody of the known antibody of neurotrophic factor (NTF):nerve growth factor(NGF), glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor(GDNF), brainderived neurotrophic factor(BDNF), neurotrophin 3(NT-3)， NT-4, ciliang neurotrophic factor(CNTF). Results Separated by Native-PAGE, NRCF mainly contained two protein bands:Band a had a relative molecular mass about 220×103, and Band c had a relative molecular mass about (20-40)×103. Band a could not combine with the antibodies of the NGF, BDNF, CNTF, and NT-3, but could combine with the antibody of NT-4.Band c could combine with the antibodies of NGF, BDNF, CNTF and NT-3, but could not combine with the antibodies of NT-4 and GDNF. Conclusion The protein bands with a relative molecular mass of 220×103 have ber neurotropic and neurotrophic effects than the protein bands with a relative molecular mass of (20-40)×103, which contains NGF,CNTF, etc. NT-4 just has a weak or no effect on the sympathetic neurone. This indicates that there is a new NTF in the protein bands with a relative molecular mass of 220×103, which only combines with the antibody of NT-4.