Regeneration of transected spinal cord in young adult rats using freeze-dried alginate gel

WE have recently reported that freeze-dried alginate gel, which was develop ed in our laboratory, enhanced peripheral nerve regeneration. The purpose o f this study-wa to examine whether alginate gel is capable of promoting ner ve regeneration in the severed spinal cord of adult mammals, Using Wistar r ats at 30 days of age (P30), the TS-Tld spinal cord was totally resected an d alginate gel was implanted across the gap, Forty-five days after surgery myelinated and unmyelinated axons regenerated throughout the gap with remai ning alginate gel. The elongated axons established electro-physiologically functional projections across the gap. In conclusion, freeze-dried alginate gel could be a promising material: as an artificial nerve guide for repair of injured central nervous system. (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.