Fatores neurotróficos como possível estratégia terapêutica na regeneração do tecido nervoso: Revisão sistemática

Injuries to the nervous system create microenvironments that are not conducive to regeneration and have severe functional repercussions. In this sense, many neurotrophic factors have been studied and suggested as a possible therapeutic strategy for the regeneration and repair of nervous tissue. Objective: To study the neurotrophic factors and their possible potential for the regeneration of nervous tissue, especially the nervous system of adult animals. Method: This is a systematic review of the literature that searched for articles from the Medline and Web of Science databases, published between January 1, 1980 and March 31, 2020. Results: Twenty two experimental studies were selected that prove that neurotrophic factors: 1) improve plasticity and neurogenesis; 2) completely reverse the negative effects of chronic axotomy / activate expression of molecules associated with regeneration and late functional recovery after injury; 3) increase the number of regenerated sensory neurons and improve sensory functional recovery; 4) promote sustained survival and increased motoneuronium / improved muscle re-innervation / recovery of voluntary function / improve locomotor functional recovery; 5) increase the thickness of the nerve fiber, axon diameter and myelin sheath / favors remyelination. Conclusion: Neurotrophic factors are biomolecules that have effects on neurons, such as their survival and stimulation and direction of nerve fiber growth. Some of these factors are products of muscle and other structures that are innervated by neurons, but others are produced by neuroglia. Neurotrophic factors have been highlighted as a possible therapeutic strategy for the regeneration of nervous tissue.