Abstract
In order to evaluate the regeneration of resected nerves, a dehydrothermally treated gelatin tube was used to repair 10-mm defects in the sciantic nerve of rats. As a control, a gelatin tube treated with glutaraldehyde was used. Histological examination using Osmium, Bodian and anti-S-100 protein staining at 2 months and at 4 months after the operations revealed that the regenerated axons reached through the gelatin guide-tube to the distal end.
Motoneurons of the ventral horn as well as afferent nerve terminals in the dorsal horn of the spine were stained both retrogradely and anterogradely with WGA-HRP, indicating nerve regeneration through the bridged area. With regard to nerve function, the electromyogram and cerebral somatosensory potentials at 2 months showed functional recovery.
In the controls, no regeneration was observed. These results indicate that this dehydrothermally treated gelatin tube is a promising biomaterial for use as a nerve-conductive tube for inducing nerve regeneration.
