Medknow Publications on behalf of the Neurological Society of India
Abstract
Context : Both tacrolimus (FK506) and nerve growth factor (NGF) enhance
peripheral nerve regeneration, and in vitro experimental results
demonstrate that the combination of FK506 and NGF increased neurite
outgrowth compared with either treatment alone. Aim : To determine if
the combination of FK506 and NGF benefits peripheral nerve regeneration
compared with either treatment alone in vivo. Settings and Design : Rat
sciatic nerves were cut off to form a 10 mm defect and repaired with
the nerve conduits. All of the 32 Wistar rats were randomly divided
into 4 groups: Group A: RGD peptide modification of poly{(lactic
acid)-co-[(glycolic acid)-alt-(L-lysine)]} (PRGD)/FK506/NGF; Group B:
PRGD/FK506; Group C: PRGD/NGF; and Group D: autologous nerves.
Materials and Methods : At 3 months after surgery, the regenerated rat
sciatic nerve was evaluated by electrophysiology, calf triceps wet
weight recovery rate, and histologic assessment. Statistical Analysis
Used : The SPSS 10.0 software (Bizinsight, Beijing China) was used for
statistical analysis. Results : The compound muscle action potentials
(CMAPs) of groups A and D were significantly stronger than those of
groups B and C. The calf triceps wet weight recovery rate of groups A
and D were higher than those of groups B and C. The regenerated nerves
of groups A and D were more mature than those of groups B and C. There
was no significant difference between groups A and D. Conclusions :
PRGD/FK506/NGF sustained-release nerve conduits are more effective in
regenerating nerves than both PRGD/FK506 sustained-release nerve
conduits and PRGD/NGF sustained-release nerve conduits. The effect is
as good as that of an autograft