Use of hybrid chitosan membranes and N1E-115 cells for promoting nerve regeneration in an axonotmesis rat model

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2008

Authors

Amado, S (Author) Other; Simoes, MJ (Author) Other; Armada A S A da Silva (Author) Other; Luis, AL (Author) ICBAS; Shirosaki, Y (Author) Other; Lopes, MA (Author) FEUP; Santos, JD (Author) FEUP; Fregnan, F (Author) Other; Gambarotta, G (Author) Other; Raimondo, S (Author) Other; Fornaro, M (Author) Other; Veloso, AP (Author) Other; Varejao, ASP (Author) Other; Mauricio, AC (Author) ICBAS; Geuna, S (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Biomaterials

Vol. 29

Pages: 4409-4419

ISSN: 0142-9612

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 87 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 100 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Environmental biotechnology

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Engineering > Biomedical enginnering

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-V0D

DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2008.07.043

Abstract (EN): Many studies have been dedicated to the development of scaffolds for improving post-traumatic nerve regeneration. The goal of this study was to develop and test hybrid chitosan membranes to use in peripheral nerve reconstruction, either alone or enriched with N1E-115 neural cells. Hybrid chitosan membranes were tested in vitro, to assess their ability in supporting N1E-115 cell survival and differentiation, and in vivo to assess biocompatibility as well as to evaluate their effects on nerve fiber regeneration and functional recovery after a standardized rat sciatic nerve crush injury. Functional recovery was evaluated using the sciatic functional index (SFI), the static sciatic index (SSI), the extensor postural thrust (EFT), the withdrawal reflex latency (WRL) and ankle kinematics. Nerve fiber regeneration was assessed by quantitative stereological analysis and electron microscopy. All chitosan membranes showed good biocompatibility and proved to be a suitable substrate for plating the N1E-115 cellular system. By contrast, in vivo nerve regeneration assessment after crush injury showed that the freeze-dried chitosan type III. without N1E-115 cell addition, was the only type of membrane that significantly improved posttraumatic axonal regrowth and functional recovery. it can be thus suggested that local enwrapping with this type of chitosan membrane may represent an effective approach for the improvement of the clinical outcome in patients receiving peripheral nerve surgery.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11