Long-Term Regeneration and Functional Recovery of a 15 mm Critical Nerve Gap Bridged by Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharide-Immobilized Polylactide Conduits

Abstract EN

Novel peripheral nerve conduits containing the negatively charged Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide (TF) were prepared, and their efficacy in bridging a critical nerve gap was evaluated.

The conduits were made of poly(D,L-lactide) (PLA) with asymmetric microporous structure.

TF was immobilized on the lumen surface of the nerve conduits after open air plasma activation.

The TF-modified surface was characterized by the attenuated total reflection Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy and the scanning electron microscopy.

TF modification was found to enhance the neurotrophic gene expression of C6 glioma cells in vitro.

TF-modified PLA nerve conduits were tested for their ability to bridge a 15 mm gap of rat sciatic nerve.

Nerve regeneration was monitored by the magnetic resonance imaging.

Results showed that TF immobilization promoted the nerve connection in 6 weeks.

The functional recovery in animals receiving TF-immobilized conduits was greater than in those receiving the bare conduits during an 8-month period.

The degree of functional recovery reached ~90% after 8 months in the group of TF-immobilized conduits.