A new combination of tissue engineering techniques provides a simple and effective method for building aligned cellular biomaterials. Self-alignment of Schwann cells within a tethered type-1 collagen matrix, followed by removal of interstitial fluid produces a stable tissue-like biomaterial that recreates the aligned cellular and extracellular matrix architecture associated with nerve grafts. S...

IMPORTANCE Cable grafting is widely considered to be the preferred alternative to primary repair of the injured facial nerve; however, quantitative comparison of the 2 techniques has not been previously undertaken in a rodent model. OBJECTIVE To establish functional recovery parameters after interposition autografting in a rodent facial nerve model. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Prospec...

This study investigated the effect of frankincense extract on peripheral nerve regeneration in a crush injury rat model. Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control and frankincense extract low-, medium-, and high-dose groups. At days 7, 14, 21, and 28 following the surgery, nerve regeneration and functional recovery were evaluated using the sciatic functiona...

The repair of peripheral nerve injuries with an autologous nerve graft is still the treatment of choice, although it is widely recognised that the method is associated with donor-site morbidity and a suboptimal functional outcome. An alternative approach is to use a nerve conduit to provide a guidance channel for the regenerating nerve. This study investigates the potential of poly-3-hydroxybut...

A new combination of tissue engineering techniques provides a simple and effective method for building aligned cellular biomaterials. Self-alignment of Schwann cells within a tethered type-1 collagen matrix, followed by removal of interstitial fluid produces a stable tissue-like biomaterial that recreates the aligned cellular and extracellular matrix architecture associated with nerve grafts. S...

Elucidating the mechanisms whereby neuroendocrine tissues coordinate their input and output signals to ensure appropriate hormone secretion is currently a topical issue. In particular, whether a direct communication mediated by gap junctions between neurosecretory cells contributes to hormone release in vivo still remains unknown. Here we address this issue using a microsurgical approach allowi...

203 Abstract: Semi-thin and thin sections were used to observe the morphogenesis of peripheral nerves regenerating in silicone tubes. The progress of peripheral nerve regeneration across a 10 mm gap within the silicone tubes was examined after 3, 6 and 9 months. The left sciatic nerves of rats were transected. The proximal and distal nerve stumps were inserted into a silicone tube, in which the...

Several studies have shown that fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) can directly affect axon regeneration after peripheral nerve damage. In this study, we performed sensory tests and histological analyses to study the effect of recombinant human FGF-2 (rhFGF2) treatment on damaged mental nerves. The mental nerves of 6-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were crush-injured for 1 minute and then trea...

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE The standard clinical technique for repairing peripheral nerve gaps is the use of autologous sensory nerve grafts. The present study tested whether a collagen tube filled with autologous platelet-rich fibrin could induce sensory and motor recovery across a 12-cm nerve gap repaired 3.25 years post trauma, and reduce or eliminate neuropathic pain. CLINICAL PRESENTATION...

The gold standard in surgical management of a peripheral nerve gap is currently autologous nerve grafting. This confers patient morbidity and increases surgical time therefore innovative experimental strategies towards engineering a synthetic nerve conduit are welcome. We have developed a novel synthetic conduit made of poly ε-caprolactone (PCL) that has demonstrated promising peripheral nerve ...