[Construction and evaluation of the tissue engineered nerve of bFGF-PLGA sustained release microspheres]

To study the outcomes of nerve defect repair with the tissue engineered nerve, which is composed of the complex of SCs, 30% ECM gel, bFGF-PLGA sustained release microspheres, PLGA microfilaments and permeable poly (D, L-lactic acid) (PDLLA) catheters.

SCs were cultured and purified from the sciatic nerves of 1-day-old neonatal SD rats. The 1st passage cells were compounded with bFGF-PLGA sustained release microspheres and ECM gel, and then were injected into permeable PDLLA catheters with PLGA microfilaments inside. In this way, the tissue engineered nerve was constructed. Sixty SD rats were included. The model of 15-mm sciatic nerve defects was made, and then the rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, with 12 rats in each. In group A, autograft was adopted. In group B, the blank PDLLA catheters with PBS inside were used. In group C, PDLLA catheters, with PLGA microfilaments and 30% ECM gel inside, were used. In group D, PDLLA catheters, with PLGA microfilaments, SCs and 30% ECM gel inside, were used. In group E, the tissue engineered nerve was applied. After the operation, observation was made for general conditions of the rats. The sciatic function index (SFI) analysis was performed at 12, 16, 20 and 24 weeks after the operation, respectively. Electrophysiological detection and histological observation were performed at 12 and 24 weeks after the operation, respectively.

All rats survived to the end of the experiment. At 12 and 16 weeks after the operation, group E was significantly different from group B in SFI (P < 0.05). At 20 and 24 weeks after the operation, group E was significantly different from groups B and C in SFI (P < 0.05). At 12 weeks after the operation, electrophysiological detection showed nerve conduct velocity (NCV) of group E was bigger than that of groups B and C (P < 0.05), and compound amplitude (AMP) as well as action potential area (AREA) of group E were bigger than those of groups B, C and D (P < 0.05). At 24 weeks after the operation, NCV, AMP and AREA of group E were bigger than those of groups B and C (P < 0.05). At 12 weeks after the operation, histological observation showed the area of regenerated nerves and the number of myelinated fibers in group E were significantly differents from those in groups A, B and C (P < 0.05). The density and diameter of myelinated fibers in group E were smaller than those in group A (P < 0.05), but bigger than those in groups B, C and D (P < 0.05). At 24 weeks after the operation, the area of regenerative nerves in group E is bigger than those in group B (P < 0.05); the number of myelinated fibers in group E was significantly different from those in groups A, B, C (P < 0.05); and the density and diameter of myelinated fibers in group E were bigger than those in groups B and C (P < 0.05).

The tissue engineered nerve with the complex of SCs, ECM gel, bFGF-PLGA sustained release microspheres, PLGA microfilaments and permeable PDLLA catheters promote nerve regeneration and has similar effect to autograft in repair of nerve defects.