EFFECT OF COMBINED ADMINISTRATION OF INSULIN-LIKE-GROWTH-FACTOR AND PLATELET-DERIVED GROWTH-FACTOR ON THE REGENERATION OF TRANSECTED AND ANASTOMOSED SCIATIC-NERVE IN RATS

Objective-To evaluate the efficacy of combined administration of plate let-derived growth factor (PDGF) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I ) on the regeneration of transected and anastomosed sciatic nerves. An imals-25 male Lewis rats. Procedure-Transection and anastomosis was pe rformed of the left sciatic nerve of all rats. At the time of surgery, treatment group rats received a combination of PDGF (0.75 mu g) and I GF-I (1.5 mu g) along with vehicle (2% methyl cellulose gel) at the an astomosis site. Control rats received vehicle alone. Evaluation consis ted of motor evoked potentials and nerve conduction velocity, quantita tive histologic examination, sciatic functional index, and visual asse ssment of repair organization (lesion scores). Results-Significant dif ferences in motor evoked potential latency, nerve conduction velocity, axon number, sciatic functional index, or lesion scores were not roun d between groups. Conclusions-Combined administration of PDGF and IGF- I did not enhance peripheral nerve regeneration in a transection and a nastomosis model as determined 6 weeks after surgery. Clinical Relevan ce-These findings support the assumption that mechanical, versus troph ic, effects predominate when nerve ends are closely apposed.