Effect Of Seaweed Fiber Diaphragm On Regeneration Of Peripheral Nerve Injury

Objective:To observe the effect of sodium alginate film wrapping and covering the disarticulation injury part of nerve isolated injury on nerve regeneration. To explore the feasibility of using it to build a nerve regeneration chamber in the processing of repair peripheral injury.The findings of the research may provide theoretical basis for a better clinical therapy to repair the peripheral nerve injury.Methods:Forty two Wistar rats were random resigned into3groups. While the sciatic nerves of sham group were only expose, in control group the sciatic nerve of right side was cut and stump sutured end-to-end, layer by layer close the incisions after conventional treatment. Experimental group:the right side sciatic nerve was cut and stump sutured with sodium alginate film (15mm×10mm×2mm) covering and wrapping outside the injury site, forming an regenerative environment for sciatic nerve regeneration. Main assessment index:The general situation, HE staining then observed under microscope was performed at2nd,4th and6thweek after operation to assess the situation of nerve injury repair. IL-2and IL-4immunohistochemistry was conducted at anastomotic surrounding tissues at1st,2nd and4thweek after operation. Using osmium tetroxide staining to assess the number of nerve fibers, myelin thickness, axon diameter at4th and6thweek after operation.Result:General observation:After six weeks, the experimental group rats toe ulcers were totally healed, acupuncture have sensitive reaction while in control group there still have3rats toe ulcers not completely healed, and acupuncture were unresponsive. In the experimental group sodium alginate film has no significant adhesions with surrounding tissue at anytime. HE staining showed that:in the experimental group nerve anastomosis have less inflammation and tissue proliferation at2nd,4th and6thweek after operation;6weeks post operation, sodium alginate film are mostly degraded and absorbed. Immunohistochemical staining:There were no expressions of IL-2and IL-4in sciatic nerves of sham group at any time. IL-2and IL-4expressing levels were increased in varying degrees in both groups of rats,to reach a peak after about2weeks, then the expressing level of IL-2and IL-4is gradually declining. Compared with the control group, the experimental group of the expressing levels of IL-2and IL-4is slightly higher, but there was no significant difference (P>0.05).Osmium tetroxide staining:experimental group have more nerve fibers (P<0.05), thicker myelins (P<0.05) and bigger axons (P<0.05) than control group rats at4th and6thweek after operation.Conclusion:sodium alginate film has good biological degradability and histocompatibility and play important role in promoting sciatic nerve regeneration.