Electrophysiological Study of Sciatic Nerve Regeneration Through Tubes Seeded with Schwann Cells

A B S T R A C TIntroduction: Peripheral nerve injury is a common disorder and leads to permanent neurological defects. Schwann cells have been shown to have nerve repair after being transplanted in peripheral nerve injury. The aim of this study was to determine the beneficial effect of allograft Schwann cells on electrophysiological outcome after transection of the sciatic nerve in rats.Methods: Twenty adult male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were used in this study and left sciatic nerve was cut 10 mm in all of them and randomly divided into two groups. Then, the experimental (n=10) and control (n=10) groups received silicon tube with Schwann cells and silicon tube without Schwann cells respectively. Electrophysiological studies were performed 8 weeks after transplantation. Results: Electrophysiological study in experimental animals showed that amplitude of nerve action potential is higher and latency is less as compared to the control group (p<0.05). Discussion: The combination of different strategies such as silicon tube and Schwann transplantation has a more effective role in nerve repair.