Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a member of bioactive factor family and has obtained more attention by basic and clinical research for its pleiotropic effects.
OBJECTIVE: to explore the effect and related factors about exogenous CNTF on the regeneration and motor functional resumption of defected nerves.
METHODS: Forty rats were used to prepare nerve defect models and then randomly divided into four groups. The different concentrations of 0.2 mL CNTF (10, 20, 40 mg/L) were injected to the position of nerve defects of rats in three experimental groups. The same amount of saline was injected into the rats of control group. After operation, sciatic functional index, muscle evoked action potential, and morphological index of nerve regeneration and target organ changes were detected.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At 4 weeks after treatment, sciatic functional index had no changes in different groups (P > 0.05).   At 8 and 12 weeks, sciatic functional index, motor nerve conduction velocity, wet weight and cross-sectional area survival rate of gastrocnemius in the experimental groups were more than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The number, diameter, cross-sectional area of myelinated fiber and thickness of myelin sheath from regenerated nerve distal part were less than those from autologous nerve proximal part (P < 0.05), especially in the 40 mg/L group. The certain concentration of exogenous CNTF in nerve regenerative chamber wrapped with biodegradable membrane can promote nerve structural regeneration and motor function resumption.