Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Sarabia-Estrada, et al., 2003; Simoes et al., 2011; Wang, Itoh, Matsuda,
Ichinose, et al., 2008; Wang, Itoh, et al., 2010; Wang et al., 2009;
Yamaguchi et al., 2003; Zhang et al., 2005
).
An experimental study reconstructing 10-mm gaps in the rat sciatic nerve
showed that chitosan tubes induce nerve regeneration and are gradually
degraded and absorbed
in vivo
(
Yamaguchi et al., 2003
).
Patel et al.
(2006)
reported that chitosan nerve guides improve functional nerve recov-
ery, by increasing axonal growth, reduce muscle atrophy, and restore func-
tional strength.
It has also been shown that the regeneration of the axotomized dog sci-
atic nerve can be improved through tubulization with chitosan without
affecting the immune response (
Rosales-Cortes, Peregrina-Sandoval,
Banuelos-Pineda, Sarabia-Estrada, et al., 2003
).
As an internal conduit framework is concerned, a freeze-dried chitosan
gel sponge has been used to bridge a 8-mm gap lesion in the rat sciatic nerve;
14 days after the surgery, the regenerated nerve fibers are extended inside the
conduit along a cell layer provided by infiltrating cells, and 2 months post-
surgery, the regenerated nerve appeared well remyelinated, indicating that
the chitosan gel sponge material might be a promising graft for peripheral
nerve regeneration (
Ishikawa et al., 2007
).
Chitosan nano-/microfiber mesh tubes have been safely used also to suc-
cessfully regenerate damaged thoracic nerves in beagle dogs, specifically
sympathetic and phrenic nerve, resulting in restoration of the respiratory
function (
Matsumoto et al., 2010
).
Chitosan nanofibers mesh tubes with or without orientation and bil-
ayered chitosan mesh tubes with an inner layer of oriented nanofibers and
an outer layer of randomized nanofibers have been used to bridge sciatic
nerve defects in rats. Sprouting of axons and axonal maturation followed
by functional recovery occurred in the oriented conduits as well as in the
bilayered conduits matching the outcome of the nerve autografts (
Wang
et al., 2009
).
Nano-/microfiber mesh tubes with a DD of 78% or 93% investigated in
the 10-mm rat sciatic nerve gap repair resulted in better sensory recovery for
mesh tubes with a DD of 93%. These tubes have adequate mechanical prop-
erties to preserve the tubes internal lumen, resulting in better cell migration
and adhesion as well as humoral permeation enhancing nerve regeneration
(
Wang, Itoh, Matsuda, Ichinose, et al., 2008
).
Interestingly, a chitosan-based-laser-activated adhesive has been success-
fully applied to perform sutureless coaptation of the rat tibial nerve without
