Influence of Alginates on Tube Nerve Grafts of Different Elasticity - Preliminary in Vivo Study

Dariusz Szarek, Jadwiga Laska, Wlodzimierz Jarmundowicz, Stanislaw Blazewicz, Pawel Tabakow, Krzysztof Marycz, Zdzislaw Wozniak, Janusz Mierzwa

Department of Biomaterials, AGH University of Science and Technology, Krakow, Poland.
Department of Neurosurgery, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
Department of Neurosurgery, Wroclaw University Hospital, Wroclaw, Poland.
Department of Pathomorphology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
Labora- tory of Electron Microscopy Studies, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.

DOI: 10.4236/jbnb.2012.31004                

Abstract

This preliminary research project has been conducted to evaluate different elastic polymer materials in terms of their applicability in peripheral nerve regeneration. Poly(tetrafluoroetylene-co-difluorovinylidene-co-propylene), poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide), and polyurethane were used for the manufacture of tubular implants. Alginate sodium gel and fibers were used as a scaffold to fill in tube nerve grafts and enhance nerve regeneration. The tubes were implanted to reconstruct a 10 mm gap in the sciatic nerve in rats. After 3, 7, 14, 28 days the tubes were retrieved for histological examination. Among tested tubes polyurethane implants were found to be the most suitable because of their mechanical and surgical properties. Other tested implants were found to be unfavorable due to their inappropriate rigidity, elasticity or surgical convenience. Alginate transformation into dense gel form was observed that hindered inner tube space cellular colonization. In consequence of this transformation nerve regeneration was inhibited inside tube nerve grafts. Histological examination showed massive colonization of the implants with Schwann cells, and growth of new axons was found within Schwann cells growing on tubes external surface. Appropriate time rates for alginate gelation and dissolving must be determined to allow undisturbed tissue growth and maturation.

Keywords

Tube Nerve Grafts; Polyurethane; Polylactide; Terpolimer; Sodium Alginate; Sciatic Nerve; in Vivo

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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