Methylcobalamin-Loaded PLCL Conduits Facilitate the Peripheral Nerve Regeneration
Deteng Zhang1,2, Weichao Yang3, Chunyang Wang3
1MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.
Macromolecular Bioscience
|February 15, 2020
Summary
This study developed methylcobalamin-loaded nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) for nerve regeneration. The 15% methylcobalamin (MeCbl) formulation significantly enhanced sciatic nerve repair in rats, promoting functional recovery and myelination.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) are crucial for peripheral nerve regeneration.
- Optimizing NGC biological performance is key for clinical translation.
- Methylcobalamin (MeCbl) shows potential in nerve repair.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and evaluate methylcobalamin (MeCbl)-loaded poly(d,l-lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL) nerve guidance conduits (NGCs).
- To assess the in vitro biological effects of MeCbl-loaded NGCs on neural cells.
- To investigate the in vivo efficacy of MeCbl-loaded NGCs in promoting sciatic nerve regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of PLCL films with varying MeCbl concentrations (5%, 15%, 25%).
- Preparation of MeCbl-loaded NGCs by rolling and suturing PLCL films.
- In vitro assessment of Schwann cell and Neuro2a cell proliferation and elongation.
- In vivo implantation of MeCbl-loaded NGCs in a rat sciatic nerve defect model (10 mm).
- Evaluation of motor and sensory function recovery and nerve myelination.
Main Results:
- Sustained MeCbl release from NGCs for up to 21 days.
- Enhanced proliferation and elongation of Schwann cells and Neuro2a cells on MeCbl-loaded films.
- Successful regeneration of 10 mm sciatic nerve defects in rats implanted with MeCbl-loaded NGCs.
- Significant recovery of motor and sensory function and promotion of myelination.
- The 15% MeCbl-loaded PLCL conduit demonstrated superior nerve regeneration, indicated by larger nerve diameter and thicker myelinated fibers.
Conclusions:
- MeCbl-loaded PLCL NGCs are feasible for peripheral nerve regeneration.
- MeCbl incorporation enhances neural cell activity and nerve repair.
- The 15% MeCbl-loaded PLCL conduit shows optimal performance for sciatic nerve regeneration in rats.
