| Background and ObjectivePeripheral nerve defect is always a difficult problem in clinical work. The current gold treatment standard is autologous nerve graft, but it still exists disadvantages. so the substitute of the autologous nerve became the focal point. Chitin and its derivatives can promote growth of the cell endothelial, regeneration of the blood vessels, reduce scar. It has become a reliable substitute carrier of the autologous nerve. However, using chitin catheter alone has limitations, because It can not promote the regeneration of Schwann cells effectively. In addition to hematopoiesis, the recombinant human Erythropoietin (rh-EPO) also plays an important role in damaged nerve repairment. It not only promote the central nervous system, but also can promote schwann cells proliferation and provide protection, nutrition and regeneration. But the specific mechanism is not clear.MethodsSixty SD female rats were randomly divided into3groups.20rats in each group. The sciatic nerves on bilateral of all rats were exposed and a1cm segment was removed and bridged with the chitin chamber. Experiment group A was injected with Recombinant Human Erythropoietin; control group B was injected with PGLA, and blank control group C was injected with Physiological saline. Six and twelve weeks after operation, the nerve electrophysiological and nerve histological examination were observed.Results1. Six weeks after the operation, General observation indicated that the regenerated nerves in all of groups passed through the nerve regeneration chamber and there were regenerated blood vessels around them, Chitin catheter was not completely absorbed. Chitin catheter was completely absorbed after12weeks, Fibrous tissue reduced significantly, there was a amount of capillary.2. Electrophysiological examination of regenerated nerve showed that velocity in group A (six weeks:14.3±2.02; twelve weeks:37.25±2.00) was higher than group B (six weeks:13.24±1.92; welve weeks:21.02±2.01) and C (six weeks:11.30±1.98; twelve weeks:19.65±1.98), the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between group B and C (P>0.0167, multiple comparison with Bonferroni adjusted alpha level of0.0167).3. S-100immuno histochemistry showed that the number of nerve fiber in group A (six weeks:365.15±41.20; twelve weeks:512.00±34.12) was more than groupB (six weeks:261.23±40.11; twelve weeks:452.12±45.23)and C(six weeks:251.58±29.55; twelve weeks:436.21±41.58), the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).There was no significant difference between group B and C (P>0.0167). Each results showed that group A was better than groupB; The groupB and groupB is better than the groupC.4. Loyezs neural staining showed that the number of nerve fiber in group A (six weeks:540.00±112.33; twelve weeks:987.25±100.12) was more than group B (six weeks:373.00±81.24; twelve weeks:512.65±71.45) and C (six weeks:347.00±62.26; twelve weeks:499.21±62.13). The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between group B and C (P>0.0167).Conclusions 1. Chitin catheter can promote nerve growth and have no foreign body reaction, this kind of ideal biological material can be used as nerve regeneration chamber.2. Rh-EPO combined with chitin catheter can promote the proliferation of the Schwann cells of the nerve injury.3. Rh-EPO combined with chitin catheter can promote the injured sciatic nerve axonal regeneration, and function recovery. |
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