Subscribe to RSS
![](/products/assets/desktop/img/oa-logo.png)
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1584936
Comparison of Potential Nerve Scar Agents in the Rat Model
Publication History
11 September 2015
26 May 2016
Publication Date:
01 July 2016 (online)
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/10.1055-s-00029352/201602/lookinside/thumbnails/10-1055-s-0036-1584936_16040009-1.jpg)
Abstract
Background An animal nerve scar model that can be used to identify potential therapies in the treatment of nerve scarring in patients has yet to be defined. The purpose of this study was to create an inexpensive, reproducible, and reliable nerve scar model in the rat.
Methods Thirty rats underwent left tibial nerve transection and repair and were divided into three groups: 10 controls with transection and repair alone, 10 receiving topical application of talc powder onto the repair, and 10 receiving topical application of tetracycline onto the repair. Outcome measures included weekly extensor postural thrust (EPT) testing for 12 weeks, endpoint gastrocnemius weight ratios (left vs right), and histological analysis.
Results The tetracycline group showed a significant difference in EPT testing at week 6 postoperatively (p = 0.007) and had the lowest average EPT value at each time point over 12 weeks. Each group displayed a plateau in recovery, with the control and talc groups reaching plateau 1 week earlier (week 6) than the tetracycline group (week 7). At 12 weeks postoperatively, there was no significant difference in EPT testing (p = 0.301) or gastrocnemius weight ratios (p = 0.802). Histological analysis showed substantial nerve regeneration in the control group, an inflammatory response in the epineurium of the talc and tetracycline groups, but no migration of inflammation or interference of nerve regeneration in the endoneurial compartment.
Conclusion These agents, and more importantly, this animal model are inadequate for developing a nerve scar. Identifying a better animal with more connective tissue should be further explored.
-
References
- 1 Eather TF, Pollock M, Myers DB. Proximal and distal changes in collagen content of peripheral nerve that follow transection and crush lesions. Exp Neurol 1986; 92 (2) 299-310
- 2 Ohsumi H, Hirata H, Nagakura T , et al. Enhancement of perineurial repair and inhibition of nerve adhesion by viscous injectable pure alginate sol. Plast Reconstr Surg 2005; 116 (3) 823-830
- 3 Tetik C, Ozer K, Ayhan S, Siemionow K, Browne E, Siemionow M. Conventional versus epineural sleeve neurorrhaphy technique: functional and histomorphometric analysis. Ann Plast Surg 2002; 49 (4) 397-403
- 4 Görgülü A, Uzal C, Doğanay L, Imer M, Eliuz K, Cobanoğlu S. The effect of low-dose external beam radiation on extraneural scarring after peripheral nerve surgery in rats. Neurosurgery 2003; 53 (6) 1389-1395 , discussion 1395–1396
- 5 Ozgenel GY. Effects of hyaluronic acid on peripheral nerve scarring and regeneration in rats. Microsurgery 2003; 23 (6) 575-581
- 6 Ngeow WC. Scar less: a review of methods of scar reduction at sites of peripheral nerve repair. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2010; 109 (3) 357-366
- 7 Park JS, Lee JH, Han CS, Chung DW, Kim GY. Effect of hyaluronic acid-carboxymethylcellulose solution on perineural scar formation after sciatic nerve repair in rats. Clin Orthop Surg 2011; 3 (4) 315-324
- 8 Kerns JM, Fakhouri AJ, Weinrib HP, Freeman JA. Electrical stimulation of nerve regeneration in the rat: the early effects evaluated by a vibrating probe and electron microscopy. Neuroscience 1991; 40 (1) 93-107
- 9 Bilaceroglu S, Guo Y, Hawthorne ML , et al. Oral forms of tetracycline and doxycycline are effective in producing pleurodesis. Chest 2005; 128 (5) 3750-3756
- 10 Watson J, Gonzalez M, Romero A, Kerns J. Neuromas of the hand and upper extremity. J Hand Surg Am 2010; 35 (3) 499-510
- 11 Zanjani L, Firouzi M, Nabian M-H, Nategh M, Rahimi-Movaghar V, S. Kamrani R. Comparison and evaluation of current animal models for perineural scar formation in rat. Iran J Basic Med Sci 2013; 16 (7) 886-890
- 12 Hulata D, Hughes WF, Shott S, Kroin JS, Gonzalez MH, Kerns JM. Early behavioral and histological outcomes following a novel traumatic partial nerve lesion. J Neurosci Methods 2008; 172 (2) 236-244
- 13 Atkins S, Smith KG, Loescher AR , et al. Scarring impedes regeneration at sites of peripheral nerve repair. Neuroreport 2006; 17 (12) 1245-1249
- 14 Brushart TM. Nerve Repair. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 2011
- 15 Malushte TS, Kerns JM, Huang CC, Shott S, Safanda J, Gonzalez M. Assessment of recovery following a novel partial nerve lesion in a rat model. Muscle Nerve 2004; 30 (5) 609-617
- 16 Weiss P, Taylor AC. Histomechanical analysis of nerve reunion in the rat after tubular spicing. Arch Surg 1943; 47 (5) 419-447
- 17 Kerns JM, Fakhouri AJ, Pavkovic IM. A twitch tension method to assess motor nerve function in rat. J Neurosci Methods 1987; 19 (4) 259-266
- 18 Kerns JM, Braverman B, Mathew A, Lucchinetti C, Ivankovich AD. A comparison of cryoprobe and crush lesions in the rat sciatic nerve. Pain 1991; 47 (1) 31-39
- 19 Romano VM, Blair SJ, Kerns JM, Wurster RD. Comparison of fibrin glue, bioresorbable tubing and sutures in peripheral nerve repair. Restor Neurol Neurosci 1991; 3 (2) 75-80