Effect of Local Administration of Laminin and Fibronectin with Chitosan Conduit on Peripheral Nerve Regeneration: A Rat Sciatic Nerve Transection Model

Objective- Effect of local administration of laminin and fibronectin on nerve regeneration was assessed. Design- Experimental study. Animal- Sixty male Wistar rats. Procedures- The animals were divided into four experimental groups (n=15), randomly: In transected group left sciatic nerve was transected and stumps were fixed in adjacent muscle. In treatment group (CHIT/LF) the defect was bridged using a chitosan conduit filled with 10 μL mixture at a concentration of 1 mg/ml laminin and 1 mg/ml fibronectin in a 1:1 volumetric addition. In CHIT group the conduit was filled with phosphate-buffered saline. In normal control group sciatic nerve was exposed and manipulated. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups of five animals each and nerve fibers were studied in a 12-week period. Results- Behavioral, functional, gastrocnemius muscle mass findings and morphometric indices confirmed faster recovery of regenerated axons in CHIT/LF than in CHIT group (p<0.05). Immunohistochemical reactions to S-100 in CHIT/LF were more positive than that in CHIT group. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance- Laminin-fibronectin improved functional recovery and morphometric indices of sciatic nerve. They could be considered as an effective treatment for peripheral nerve repair in practice.