Fully biodegradable and self-powered nerve guidance conduit based on zinc-molybdenum batteries for peripheral nerve repair

• Published in: Biosensors & bioelectronics Vol. 263; p. 116578
• Main Authors: Yu, Bingbing, Bai, Jun, Guan, Yanjun, Huang, Xueying, Liang, Lijing, Ren, Zhiqi, Song, Xiangyu, Zhang, Tieyuan, Yang, Can, Dai, Fanqi, Wang, Xibo, Sheng, Xing, Peng, Jiang, Wang, Liu, Wang, Yu, Yin, Lan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2024
• Subjects: Biodegradable electronics; Nerve guidance conduit; Nerve regeneration; Self-powered devices; Zinc-molybdenum battery; Self-powered devices; Zinc-molybdenum battery; Biodegradable electronics; Nerve regeneration; Nerve guidance conduit
• ISSN: 0956-5663; 1873-4235; 1873-4235
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2024.116578

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) poses a significant public health issue, often leading to muscle atrophy and persistent neuropathic pain, which can drastically impact the quality of life for patients. Electrical stimulation represents an effective and non-pharmacological treatment to promote nerve regeneration. Yet, the postoperative application of electrical stimulation remains a challenge. Here, we propose a fully biodegradable, self-powered nerve guidance conduit (NGC) based on dissolvable zinc-molybdenum batteries. The conduit can offer topographic guidance for nerve regeneration and deliver sustained electrical cues between both ends of a transected nerve stump, extending beyond the surgical window. Schwann cell proliferation and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production are enhanced by the introduction of the zinc-molybdenum batteries. In rodent models with 10-mm sciatic nerve damage, the device effectively enhances nerve regeneration and motor function recovery. This study offers innovative strategies for creating biodegradable and electroactive devices that hold important promise to optimize therapeutic outcomes for nerve regeneration. •We develop a fully biodegradable and self-powered NGC for PNI, which offers topographic guidance and continuous electric cues.•Zn-Mo battery shows desirable biocompatibility and functionality to promote Schwann cell proliferation and ATP production.•The self-powered NGC facilitates neurite regrowth, myelination, and motor function restoration in sciatic nerve defects.•The study offers novel strategies for biodegradable and electroactive devices, promising advances in electronic medicine.