Tissue engineering and peripheral nerve regeneration (III) - Sciatic nerveregeneration with PDLLA nerve guide

The biodegradation rate and biocompatibility of poly(d, l-lactide) (PDLLA) in vivo were evaluated. The aim of this study was to establish a nerve guid e constructed by the PDLLA with 3-D microenvironment and to repair a 10 mm of sciatic nerve gap in rats. The process of the nerve regeneration was inv estigated by histological assessment, electrophysiological examination, and determination of wet weight recovery rate of the gastrocnemius muscle. Aft er 3 weeks, the nerve guide had changed from a transparent to an opaque sta tus. The conduit was degraded and absorbed partly and had lost their streng th with breakage at the 9th week of postoperation. At the conclusion of 12 weeks, proximal and distal end of nerves were anastomosed by nerve regenera tion and the conduit vanished completely. The results suggest that PDLLA co nduits may serve for peripheral nerve regeneration and PDLLA is a sort of h opeful candidate for tissue engineering.