The Effect of Chick Embryo Cerebro-Spinal Fluid in Microwave Irradiated Collagen Guide Channel on Sciatic Nerve Regeneration in Rat

Novel approaches attempt to provide an alternative to autologous nerve graft. Nerve guidance conduit (NGC) have been designed to bridge the gap and provides guidance for sprouting axon and provide a place for diffusion of neurotropic factors and endogenous/transplanted cells at the lesion site [2]. It is believed that an ideal nerve conduit should provide not only structural support for damaged nerve but also the neurotropic and neurotrophic support for axonal regrowth [3]. Collagen biomaterials were found to be highly biocompatible, absorbable and able to promote Schwann cell adhesion, proliferation and migration [4]. Collagen nerve conduits have been shown to be effective in rat and monkey models of nerve repair and are FDA and EU-approved for clinical application [5]. Lohmeyer et al. (2007) used collagen conduits to repair sensory nerve avulsions in 11 patients and observed good improvement in nerve recovery. Numerous experiments indicated that, after nerve injury, cell adhesion molecules and neurotropic factor played very important roles in nerve regeneration, cellular viability, growth, activity and functional recovery [6]. Among the neurotrophic factors, nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a critical role. Supplementing the nerve site with NGF has been shown to enhance proliferation and promote nerve repair following injury [7].