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Neurotrophin‐4 delivered by fibrin glue promotes peripheral nerve regeneration
Author(s) -
Yin Qi,
Kemp Graham J.,
Yu LuGang,
Wagstaff Simon C.,
Frostick Simon P.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-4598(200103)24:3<345::aid-mus1004>3.0.co;2-p
Subject(s) - sciatic nerve , regeneration (biology) , fibrin glue , neurotrophin 3 , myelin , medicine , neurotrophic factors , neurotrophin , sciatic nerve injury , peripheral nerve injury , nerve injury , epineurial repair , peripheral nerve , peripheral , peripheral nervous system , anatomy , brain derived neurotrophic factor , anesthesia , surgery , biology , central nervous system , microbiology and biotechnology , receptor
Neurotrophin‐4 (NT‐4) is a recently identified neurotrophic factor with potential trophic effects on subpopulations of neurons. Little is known about its role in peripheral nerve regeneration following nerve injury. To investigate this, 48 Sprague‐Dawley rats underwent left sciatic nerve transection and immediate repair. Fibrin glue mixed with either NT‐4 or vehicle (control) was injected around the nerve repair site. Nerve regeneration was assessed both functionally and histomorphometrically. The results showed that the NT‐4–treated group had a significant increase compared with the control in the regeneration distance at 5 days. The sciatic function index was significantly greater in the NT‐4 group from 40 to 60 days after nerve repair. Morphometric analysis revealed that nerves treated with NT‐4 had significant improvement in the number of regenerated axons, axonal diameter, and myelin thickness. These results suggest that NT‐4 is a potent factor improving rat sciatic nerve regeneration. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 345–351, 2001