effect of local administration of platelet-derived growth factor b on functional recovery of peripheral nerve regeneration: a sciatic nerve transection model

background: effects of platelet-derived growth factor b (pdgf-b) on peripheral nerve regeneration was studied using a rat sciatic nerve transection model. materials and methods: forty‑five male, white wistar rats were divided into three experimental groups (n = 15), randomly: normal control group (nc), silicon group (sil), and pdgf‑b treated group (sil/pdgf). in nc group, left sciatic nerve was exposed through a gluteal muscle incision and after homeostasis muscle was sutured. in the sil group, the left sciatic nerve was exposed the same way and transected proximal to tibio‑peroneal bifurcation leaving a 10‑mm gap. proximal and distal stumps were each inserted into a silicone conduit and filled with 10 μl phosphate buffered solution. in sil/pdgf group, the silicon conduit was filled with 10 μl pdgf‑b (0.5 ng/ml). each group was subdivided into three subgroups of five animals each and were studied 4, 8, 12 weeks after surgery. results: behavioral testing, sciatic nerve functional study, gastrocnemius muscle mass, and histomorphometric studies showed earlier regeneration of axons in sil/pdgf than in sil group (p < 0.05). conclusion: local administration of pdgf‑b combined with silicon grafting could accelerate functional recovery and may have clinical implications for the surgical management of patients after facial nerve transection. key words: conduit, functional recovery, local, nerve repair, platelet‑derived growth factor, sciatic