Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Nanofiber Wrap Improves Nerve Regeneration and Functional Outcomes after Delayed Nerve Repair

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Peripheral nerve injuries often result in significant functional deficits.
• Delayed nerve repair presents challenges to successful regeneration and functional recovery.
• Biodegradable electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) nanofibers offer potential as nerve guidance conduits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of biodegradable, electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) nanofiber nerve conduits.
• To assess the impact of these conduits on nerve regeneration and upper extremity function in a rat model.

Main Methods:

• A rat forelimb chronic denervation model was employed.
• Poly(ε-caprolactone) conduits were used to wrap the nerve coaptation site in experimental groups.
• Functional testing (grip strength) and histomorphometric analysis of nerve regeneration were performed at 14 weeks post-repair.

Main Results:

• Experimental animals showed significantly augmented axonal regeneration compared to negative controls (1769 vs. 1072 axons, p=0.0468).
• Functional recovery, measured by hand grip strength, was significantly improved in the experimental group (34.9% vs. 25.4% of baseline, p=0.036).
• Reduced collagen deposition at the nerve coaptation site was observed in animals treated with poly(ε-caprolactone) conduits (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Biodegradable poly(ε-caprolactone) nanofiber nerve conduits effectively enhance nerve regeneration.
• These conduits improve functional recovery in delayed nerve repair scenarios.
• The mechanism involves a reduction in scar burden at the nerve coaptation site.