Pre‐degenerated nerve shows enhanced regeneration after incremental elongation in rats

Abstract

Following nerve degeneration, we investigated effects of linear elongation on subsequent nerve regeneration in a total of 92 Wistar rats (weight 380430 g). The nerve was ligated at the midthigh and then elongated incrementally by a total of 15 mm by leg lengthening at a rate of 3 or 5 mm/day. Seven days after initiation of nerve elongation, the external fixator was removed and normal leg length was restored with internal fixation. Then a 10 mm nerve segment at the ligature site was excised, and the nerve was repaired with sutures (group D). At 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after nerve suturing, we examined transverse semi-thin nerve sections compared with group I (severed and repaired after leg lengthening without a nerve ligature) and control group (severed and repaired without leg lengthening). After lengthening at 3 mdday, nerve regeneration in group D was enhanced at 4 weeks. After lengthening at 5 mdday, nerve regeneration in group D also was enhanced at 6 and 8 weeks. Pre-degenerated nerve showed better regeneration after suturing than intact nerve. Elongation holds promise as an alternative to nerve grafting in treatment of nerve injury.

Simultaneous gradual lengthening of both proximal and distal nerve stumps for repair of peripheral nerve defect in rats

“…Furthermore, the lengthening of distal nerve stumps also provides a more favorable microenvironment for axonal regeneration, in turn, accelerating Schwann cell proliferation 34. Using pre‐degenerated nerves or the incremental lengthening of pre‐degenerated nerves enhances axonal regeneration 3, 10. Taking together the results of this and our previous studies, we believe that primary nerve lengthening will prove to be a novel and promising therapeutic approach for repairing segmental peripheral nerve defects.…”

Repair of peripheral nerve defect with direct gradual lengthening of the proximal nerve stump in rats

“…2,3 As treatment for nerve defects, primary nerve lengthening could be an alternative that may be able to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages. 2,[4][5][6][7][8] Our previous limb-lengthening studies have also shown that when the lengthening rate is 1 mm per day, the peripheral nerve could be lengthened without any significant histological damage. 9 There have been a few attempts at direct gradual lengthening of an injured nerve stump.…”

Efectos de la neurregulina sobre la regeneración nerviosa a través de prótesis acelulares implantadas en neurectomías

“…En grandes lesiones, la pérdida de tejido nervioso puede ocasionar la aparición de un espacio entre los dos cabos seccionados. Los cabos nerviosos se pueden estirar hasta un límite para intentar su aproximación (Lee y Wolfe, 2000;Hara et al, 2004). Cualquier grado de estiramiento disminuye la tasa de éxito de la reparación del nervio.…”