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Fibroblasts growth factor and nerve fragments effect on tibial nerve regeneration in rats: a comparative study

OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively compare rats' tibial nerve regeneration stimulation by Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) and nerve fragments using silicone tubes. METHODS: 18 Wistar rats were employed in this experiment. The experimental surgery consisted of resection of an 8-mm tibial nerve segment, followed by an interposition of silicone tubes. On the right side, the tube was filled with a Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) solution, and on the left side, it was filled with 1 mm nerve segments. After three months, the animals were submitted to an additional surgery for exposing tibial nerves to the neuronal marker Fluoro-Gold®. After 48 hours, they were perfused with a paraformaldehyde solution and the medullar segment between L3 and S1 was removed and cut into 40 mum-thick segments. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results of neuronal counts showed a higher amount of neurons on the side where FGF was used compared to the side where nervous fragments were placed, suggesting a superior performance of the fibroblast growth factor over nerve fragments for stimulating nervous regeneration in silicone tubes.

Peripheral nerves; Wistar rats; Fibroblast growth factor


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