Abstract
The nerve grafts which consist of lamininfibronectin double coated collagen fiber bundles were used for providing regeneration of rat peripheral nerves. A 1-cm defect of the right sciatic nerve was filled with a graft. Thirty days after implantation, many new nerve fibers extentended along collagen fibers. In control grafts which include only non-coated collagen fibers, many fibroblasts had invaded into gaps among the collagen fibers and disturved nerve elongation. After 60 days, regeneration of both moter and sensary nerves was confirmed electrophysiologically. The number of the regenerated axons in the grafts was apparently larger than that of control grafts. Laminin promoted the elongation of regenerated axons and fibronectin inhibited excessive invasion of fibroblasts. Therefore, these grafts seemed to be competent for peripheral nerve regeneration.
