Scientific publications
Neuronal quantification in cold-preserved nerve allografts and treatment with FK-506 through osmotic pumps compared to nerve autografts
Hontanilla B, Yeste L, Aubá C, Gorría O.
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Clínica Universitaria, Universidad de Navarra, Spain
ABSTRACT
Nerve regeneration across nerve autografts was compared to cold-preserved nerve allografts and treatment with FK-506.
The tibial branch of the rat sciatic nerve was transected and immediately repaired with nerve autografts and allografts. FK-506 was administered for 4 weeks through osmotic pumps to different groups of both auto- and allograft cases. The nerves of two allografted groups were preserved with University of Wisconsin Cold Storage Solution (UWCSS) for 3 weeks. Quantification of retrograde-labelled motoneurons and axonal counts was performed. Nerve regeneration through nerve allografts treated with FK-506 or UWCSS was similar to the regeneration obtained when non-treated nerve autografts were used. However, there was no additive effect of the two treatments, and neither FK-506 nor UWCSS improved the number of gamma motoneurons.
Both UWCSS and FK-506 administration with osmotic pumps was effective in improving nerve regeneration in allografts, achieving a level comparable to that obtained in non-grafted control cases.
CITATION J Reconstr Microsurg. 2006 Jul;22(5):363-74
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