Affiliations: Centre de recherche, Hôpital du
Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Département de chirurgie,
Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
Note: [] Corresponding author: Eric Beaumont, Centre de recherche,
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, local K-3115, 5400,
boul. Gouin Ouest, Montréal, QC, Canada H4J 2C5. Tel.: +1 514 338 2222
ext: 2735; Fax: +1 514 338 2694; E-mail: e-beaumont@crhsc.rtss.qc.ca
Abstract: Purpose: nerve regeneration and functional recovery are often
incomplete after peripheral nerve damage. The aim of this study was to
determine if chondroitinase ABC injection at the lesion site, 1 hour of
electrical stimulation and the combination of these treatments at the time of
repair could be effective in promoting muscle reinnervation. Methods: the right sciatic nerve was completely sectioned in 32
female Sprague-Dawley rats. End-to-end microsuture repair was undertaken and
fibrin glue was added. Five groups were studied: 1) suture (S) + fibrin glue
(F) only; 2) S + F + chondroitinase ABC; 3) S + F + electrical stimulation; 4)
S + F + chondroitinase ABC + electrical stimulation; 5) uninjured nerve. Results: post recovery kinematics showed larger excursion of the
hip-ankle-toe angle during walking in groups 2, 3 and 4 than in group 1 (p<
0.05). In vivo electromyographic activity and maximal muscle force were similar
between groups 2, 3, 4 and 5, with higher values in all of them compared to
group 1 (p< 0.05). Also, the distal stump of the sciatic nerve was excised,
and cross-sectioning revealed that the number of axons were similar in all
groups. Conclusions: 150 days after nerve transection, recovery was
incomplete with S and F only. Chondroitinase ABC injection at the lesion site
and/or 1 hour of electrical stimulation of the proximal nerve stump were
beneficial in promoting nerve regeneration and functional muscle
reinnervation.
