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J Brachial Plex Peripher Nerve Inj 2011; 06(01): e33-e37
DOI: 10.1186/1749-7221-6-11
Research article
Isaacs et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Neurotrophic effects of perfluorocarbon emulsion gel: a pilot study[*]

Jonathan Isaacs
1   Division of Hand Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems, 1200 East Broad Street, P.O. Box 980153, Richmond, VA, USA
,
Ilvy Friebe
1   Division of Hand Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems, 1200 East Broad Street, P.O. Box 980153, Richmond, VA, USA
,
Satya Mallu
1   Division of Hand Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems, 1200 East Broad Street, P.O. Box 980153, Richmond, VA, USA
,
Keith Bachman
1   Division of Hand Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems, 1200 East Broad Street, P.O. Box 980153, Richmond, VA, USA
› Author Affiliations
Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

29 April 2011

23 November 2011

Publication Date:
23 September 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Background Positive neurotrophic effects of hyperbaric oxygen treatment may be more easily achieved by applying a Perflourocarbon (PFC) emulsion gel to the repair site. PFCs are halogen substituted carbon oils with unique oxygen transport potentials that are capable of increasing oxygen availability in local tissues. The purpose of this study was to determine if the application of a PFC emulsion to a repaired nerve would improve recovery.

Materials and methods The left tibial nerve of 21 immature female Sprague-Dawley rats was transected, immediately repaired, and then circumferentially coated with PFC gel (Group A, n = 7), PFC-less gel (Group B, n = 7), or nothing (suture only, Group C, n = 7). At eight weeks post surgery, electrophysiological testing and histological and morphological analysis was performed.

Results No statistically significant differences between experimental groups were found for muscle size and weight, axon counts, or nerve conduction velocity. Group A had a significantly smaller G-ratio than Groups B and C (p < .0001).

Conclusion Overall results do not indicate a functional benefit associated with application of a PFC emulsion gel to rodent tibial nerve repairs. A positive effect on myelination was seen.

Keywords

Perfluorocarbons - Nerve Repair - Nerve Regeneration

*This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


 

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