A Study of Induction of Nerve Regeneration Using Bioabsorbable Tubes

ABSTRACT

A silicone tube (S-tube) was packed with CPLA (copolymer of poly-L-lactide) fibers (S-tube+CPLA) or collagen fibers (S-tube+fiber). Two types of tube were prepared from a collagen sheet (Col-tube) and a bioabsorbable atelocollagen membrane for guided tissue regeneration (GTR-tube). They were packed with collagen fibers or films (Col-tube+fiber, GTR-tube+fiber and GTR-tube+film). Bridge grafting (15 mm in length) was performed with these tubes in a rat sciatic nerve model. Specimens were harvested after 8 weeks. Minifascicles were formed in the open space between the CPLA fibers in the S-tube+CPLA group. Regenerated axons were also formed in the degenerated collagen fibers in the S-tube+Col group. Immunocytochemistry evaluation revealed that Schwann cells invaded the space in the absorbing collagen fibers. Histologic analysis of the regenerated axons in the groups with Col-tubes or GTR-tubes revealed that both the Col-tube and the GTR-tube packed with collagen fibers were effective in providing a scaffold for regenerating nerve tissue.

REFERENCES

• 1 Lundborg G, Hansson H A. Regeneration of peripheral nerve through a preformed tissue space: preliminary observations on the reorganization of regenerating nerve fibers and perineurium.  Brain Res . 1979;  178 573-576
• 2 Collin W, Donoff R B. Nerve regeneration through collagen tubes.  J Dent Res . 1984;  63 987-993
• 3 Archibald S J, Krarup C, Shefner J. A collagen-based nerve guide conduit for peripheral nerve repair: an electrophysiological study of nerve regeneration in rodents and nonhuman primates.  J Comp Neurol . 1991;  306 685-696
• 4 Kimm D H, Connolly S E, Zhao S. Comparison of macropore, semipermeable, and nonpermeable collagen conduits in nerve repair.  J Reconstr Microsurg . 1993;  9 415-420
• 5 Laquerriere A, Jin Y, Tiollier J. Experimental evaluation of bilayered human collagen as a dural substitute.  J Neurosurg . 1993;  78 487-491
• 6 Laquerriere A, Peulve P, Jin O. Effect of basic fibroblast growth factor and alpha-melanocytic stimulating hormone on nerve regeneration through a collagen channel.  Microsurgery . 1994;  15 203-210
• 7 Lundborg G, Kanje M. Bioartificial nerve grafts: a prototype.  Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg . 1996;  30 105-110
• 8 Lundborg G, Dahlin L, Dohi D. A new type of ``bioartificial'' nerve graft for bridging extended defects in nerves.  J Hand Surg . 1997;  22B 299-303
• 9 Terada N, Bjursten L M, Dohi D, Lundborg G. Bioartificial nerve grafts based on absorbable guiding filament structures: early observations.  Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg . 1997;  31 1-6
• 10 Kikuchi M, Sato K, Suetsugu M. Preparation and mechanical properties of calcium phosphate/copoly-L-lactide composite.  J Mater Sci Mater Med . 1997;  8 361-364
• 11 Kikuchi M, Sato K, Suetsugu Y. Changes in mechanical properties and GBR application of TCP/CPLA composite.  Bioceramics . 1998;  11 153-156
• 12 Kikuchi M, Tanaka J, Koyama Y, Takakuda K. Cell culture test of TCP/CPLA composite.  J Biomed Mater Res . 1999;  48 108-110
• 13 Christopher N, Peter P F, Michel R. Human placenta type V collagens.  J Biol Chem . 1984;  63 987-993
• 14 Li S T. Porous collagen nerve conduits for nerve regeneration: in vitro characterization studies.  Soc Neurosci Abstracts . 1987;  13 291
• 15 Li S T, Archibald S J, Krarup C, Madison R D. Semipermeable collagen nerve conduits for peripheral nerve regeneration.  Proceedings of the American Chemical Society . 1987;  62 575-582