Beneficial effect of nerve growth factor-7S on peripheral nerve regeneration

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Abstract from Microsurgery. 2004;24(5):408.

Beneficial effect of nerve growth factor-7S on peripheral nerve

regeneration through inside-out vein grafts: An experimental study.

Gravvanis AI, Tsoutsos DA, Tagaris GA, Papalois AE, Patralexis CG,

Iconomou TG, Panayotou PN, Ioannovich JD.

Department of Plastic Surgery-Microsurgery and Burns Center, General

State Hospital of Athens " G. Gennimatas, " Athens, Greece.

This study investigated the effect of local administration of nerve

growth factor-7S (NGF-7S) on the axonal regrowth of mixed peripheral

nerves through inside-out vein grafts. Sixty male Wistar rats were

randomized into two groups (n = 30). A defect 12 mm long in the right

sciatic nerve was created and repaired with an inside-out vein graft

from the right jugular vein. NGF-7S (group A) or phosphate-buffered

saline (group B; control) was locally administered daily during the

first 3 weeks. Walking-track analysis and electrophysiological and

histological-morphometric studies were carried out 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12

weeks postoperatively (subgroups a, b, c, d, and e, respectively, n = 6

each). Data analysis showed that 1) the recovery of motor function, as

measured by walk pattern analysis and evoked muscle action potential,

and 2) the orientation, number, myelin thickness, and diameter of

myelinated fibers were better in the NGF-7S than in the control group.

These findings present strong evidence of the beneficial effect of

NGF-7S on peripheral nerve regeneration through inside-out vein grafts.