Isograft Obtained From ZDF (Obese Fa/Fa) Rats Does Not Impair Nerve Regeneration Compared to Healthy Isograft

Both Nerve Autograft and Processed Nerve Allograft (PNA) are Acceptable Options for Reconstructing Nerve Defects. While Small Animal Models Suggest That Autograft Has Superior Neuro-Regenerative Properties, This Advantage Has Not Been Demonstrated in Clinical Outcomes. We Believe That in Some Cases Human Autograft May Be Adversely Affected by Pathologic States Such as Diabetes. We Sought an Appropriate Small Animal Model to Test This Theory.

10 male ZDF rats (Obese Fa/Fa) genetically predisposed to have type 2 diabetes were used as donors. 10 male ZDF rats (Lean +/?) were utilized as a healthy control. Sciatic nerves harvested bilaterally from the compromised and control groups were utilized to reconstruct a 15 mm defect in 40 ZDF rats (Lean +/?). At 16 weeks, motor testing and nerve histology were performed.

There was no statistically significant difference in axonal counts between the diabetic-derived (6031 ± 3848) and healthy-derived control groups (5813 ± 2535). The average twitch force in the diabetic donor group reached 82% ± 33% of the twitch force of the normal contralateral limb, compared to 67% ± 28% in the healthy graft group. Tetanic force in the diabetic donor group reached 89% ± 30% normalized force compared to 74% ± 29% for the healthy control graft group. Muscle mass and girth ratio were 78% ± 4% and 79% ± 12% for the diabetic donor group, compared to 74% ± 18% and 78% ± 11% for the healthy group.

Isograft obtained from a diabetic donor rat did not demonstrate inferior nerve regeneration compared with "normal" healthy isograft.