Efficacy of nanofibrous conduits in repair of longsegment sciatic nerve defects

Our previous studies have histomorphologically confirmed that nanofibrous poly（3-hydroxybutyrate- co-3-hydroxyvalerate） conduit can be used to repair 30-mm-long sciatic nerve defects. However, the repair effects on rat behaviors remain poorly understood. In this study, we used nanofibrous poly（3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate） conduit and autologous sciatic nerve to bridge 30-ram-long rat sciatic nerve gaps. Within 4 months after surgery, rat sciatic nerve functional re- covery was evaluated per month by behavioral analyses, including toe out angle, toe spread anal- ysis, walking track analysis, extensor postural thrust, swimming test, open-field analysis and no- ciceptive function. Results showed that rat sciatic nerve functional recovery was similar after nanofibrous poly（3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate） conduit and autologous nerve grafting. These findings suggest that nanofibrous poly（3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate） conduit is suitable in use for repair of long-segment sciatic nerve defects.

Nanofibrous nerve conduits for repair of 30-mm-long sciatic nerve defects

It has been confirmed that nanofibrous poly（3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate） nerve conduit can promote peripheral nerve regeneration in rats. However, its efficiency in repair of over 30-mm-long sciatic nerve defects needs to be assessed. In this study, we used a nanofibrous poly（3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate） nerve conduit to bridge a 30-mm-long gap in the rat sciatic nerve. At 4 months after nerve conduit implantation, regenerated nerves were macroscopi- cally observed and histologically assessed. In the nanofibrous graft, the rat sciatic nerve trunk had been reconstructed by restoration of nerve continuity and formation of myelinated nerve fiber. There were Schwann cells and glial cells in the regenerated nerves. Masson＇s trichrome staining showed that there were no pathological changes in the size and structure of gastrocnemius muscle cells on the operated side of rats. These findings suggest that nanofibrous poly（3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3- hydroxyvalerate） nerve conduit is suitable for repair of long-segment sciatic nerve defects.