PDLLA/chondroitin sulfate/chitosan/NGF conduits for peripheral nerve regeneration

• Published in: Biomaterials Vol. 32; no. 20; pp. 4506 - 4516
• Main Authors: Xu, Haixing, Yan, Yuhua, Li, Shipu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2011
• Subjects: Advanced Basic Science; Animals; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Biocompatible Materials - metabolism; Chitosan; Chitosan - chemistry; Chitosan - metabolism; Chondroitin sulfate; Chondroitin Sulfates - chemistry; Chondroitin Sulfates - metabolism; Dentistry; Lactic Acid - chemistry; Lactic Acid - metabolism; Materials Testing; Nerve conduits; Nerve Growth Factor - metabolism; Nerve Regeneration - physiology; Neural Conduction - physiology; PDLLA; Peripheral nerve; Peripheral Nerves - cytology; Peripheral Nerves - pathology; Peripheral Nerves - physiology; Polyesters; Polymers - chemistry; Polymers - metabolism; Prostheses and Implants; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Sciatic Nerve - cytology; Sciatic Nerve - pathology; Sciatic Nerve - physiology; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Tissue Scaffolds - chemistry; Peripheral nerve; PDLLA; Chondroitin sulfate; Chitosan; Nerve conduits
• ISSN: 0142-9612; 1878-5905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.02.023

Abstract Biodegradable PDLLA/Chondroitin sulfate/Chitosan(PDLLA/CS/CHS) nerve conduits with potentially good biocompatibility and good mechanical property feasible for surgical manipulation have been developed in our previous work. The purpose of this study was to investigate their possible application in repairing damaged nerves and the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF). The PDLLA/CS/CHS/NGF nerve conduits were prepared by immobilizing NGF onto the PDLLA/CS/CHS nerve conduits with carbodiimide. Adult Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats weighing 200–250 g were used as the animal model. The conduits were employed to bridge the 10 mm defects in the sciatic nerve of the SD rats. Nerve conduction velocities (NCVs) were clearly detected in both nerve conduits after 3 months of implantation, indicating a rapid functional recovery for the disrupted nerves. The results of histological sections showed that the internal sides of the conduits were compact enough to prevent the connective tissues from ingrowth. Combined with the strong mechanical properties, good nerve regeneration ability and non-toxicity of its degradation products, PDLLA/CS/CHS nerve conduits would be expected to be useful materials to repair nerve damage and NGF can effectively promote the regeneration of peripheral nerve defect.