Dextran-based tube-guides for the regeneration of the rat sciatic nerve after neurotmesis injury

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2020

Authors

Pinho, AC (Author) Other; Branquinho, MV (Author) Other; Alvites, RD (Author) Other; Fonseca, AC (Author) Other; Caseiro, AR (Author) Other; Pedrosa, SS (Author) Other; luis, al (Author) ICBAS; Pires, I (Author) Other; Prada, J (Author) Other; Muratori, L (Author) Other; Ronchi, G (Author) Other; Geuna, S (Author) Other; Santos, JD (Author) FEUP; Mauricio, AC (Author) ICBAS; Serra, AC (Author) Other; Jordao Coelho, JFJ (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Biomaterials Science

Vol. 8

Pages: 798-811

ISSN: 2047-4830

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 5 Citations

Scopus - 5 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00R-KHF

DOI: 10.1039/c9bm00901a

Abstract (EN): In this work, dextran-based nerve tube-guides were prepared, characterized and used in a standardized animal model of neurotmesis injury. Non-porous and porous transparent tube-guides were obtained by photocrosslinking of two co-macromonomers based on dextran and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL). Swelling capacity of the tube-guides ranged from 40-60% with no visible constriction of their inner diameter. In vitro hydrolytic degradation tests showed that the tube-guides maintained their structural integrity up to 6 months. The in vivo performance of the tube-guides was evaluated by entubulation of the rat sciatic nerve after a neurotmesis injury, with a 10 mm-gap between the nerve stumps. The results showed that the tube-guides were able to promote the regeneration of the nerve in a similar manner to what was observed with conventional techniques (nerve graft and end-to-end suture). Stereological analysis proved that nerve regeneration occurred, and both tube-guides presented fibre diameter and g-ratio closer to healthy sciatic nerves. The histomorphometric analysis of Tibialis anterior (TA) skeletal muscle showed decreased neurogenic atrophy in the porous tube-guides treated group, presenting measurements that are similar to the uninjured control.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 14