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J Reconstr Microsurg 2004; 20(1): 53-58
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-818050
Copyright © 2004 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA

Effects of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor on Nerve Regeneration in Acellular Nerve Grafts

Jason M. Rovak1 , Anil K. Mungara2 , Mustafa A. Aydin3 , Paul S. Cederna2 , 4
  • 1Duke University Medical School, Durham, NC
  • 2Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
  • 3Department of Plastic Surgery, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey
  • 4Institute of Gerontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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Publication History

accepted: September 4, 2003

Publication Date:
18 February 2004 (online)

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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of human recombinant vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-165) on peripheral nerve axonal sprouting and elongation following peripheral nerve injury and repair. Two-centimeter nerve gaps were created in rat peroneal nerves and repaired with either peripheral nerve autografts, acellular peripheral nerve isografts, or VEGF-165-treated acellular peripheral nerve isografts. Four months postoperatively, the peroneal nerves were harvested and histomorphometric analysis was performed. The reinnervated extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles were harvested and weighed.

At the proximal nerve gap coaptation site, there was a statistically significant increase in the total number of axons and percent neural tissue in the VEGF-treated acellular nerve graft group, compared with the acellular peripheral nerve isograft and autograft groups. At the distal coaptation site, however, the total number of axons and percent neural tissue was similar in the acellular and VEGF-treated groups, which was significantly less than the autograft group. VEGF-165 treatment of acellular nerve grafts resulted in greater EDL muscle masses than acellular nerve grafts alone.

VEGF treatment of acellular peripheral nerve isografts enhances axonal sprouting, resulting in an increased number of axons and percent neural tissue at the proximal nerve graft coaptation site. In the absence of any cellular elements, VEGF-impregnated acellular peripheral nerve grafts do not demonstrate enhanced axonal elongation, as noted by relatively few axons at the distal nerve graft coaptation site.

KEYWORDS

Nerve injury - growth factors - nerve repair

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Paul S CedernaM.D. 

Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Michigan Health Systems

2130 Taubman Center, 1500 East Medical Center Drive

Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0340