Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Previous studies demonstrated that skeletal satellite cells not only have strong proliferative and adaptive abilities in vitro, but also exhibit low immunogenicity, few immunologic rejection and long survival time after allotransplantation. Accordingly, it is suppose that allotransplantation of skeletal satellite cells may promote regeneration of damaged sciatic nerve.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of skeletal satellite cells transplantation on regeneration of damaged sciatic nerve.
METHODS: A total of 16 Wistar rats were randomly divided into the transplantation and control groups. The sciatic nerve of right posterior limb was cut off, and then the end of defect nerve was packaged with the biodegradable membrane to form the regenerative chamber of defect nerve. Liquid containing satellite cells (0.2 mL) were injected into the regenerative room in the transplantation group. The physiological saline was injected into same position in the control group. At 4, 8 and l2 weeks after operation, the rats gait were calculated and the regenerated nerve were observed by OSO4 staining. The function index of sciatic nerve, recovery rate of wet nerve gastrocnemius, and the changes of number, diameter and thickness of regenerated myelinated nerve fiber were observed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The remaining rate of wet weight of gastrocnemius, quantity, diameter and thickness of regenerated myelinated nerve fibers between the transplantation and control groups had significant difference (P < 0.05). The recovery of function index of sciatic nerve in the transplantation group was obviously superior to that of the control group at 8 and 12 weeks after operation (P < 0.05). Thus, It is considered that skeletal satellite cell which was transplanted into nerve regeneration chamber can promote regeneration and mature of the defect nerve.