Favorable effect of local VEGF gene injection on axonal regeneration in the rat sciatic nerve

Abstract

This study is to investigate the effect of local phVEGF₁₆₅ injection on sciatic nerve regeneration in the rats and to search for a new way in the further treatment of peripheral nerve injuries. Forty-five adult male Wistar rats received a neurotomy to bilateral sciatic nerves, which were subsequently reconnected with 10/0 epineurial nylon sutures. The injured segments was locally injected with normal saline (group A), or 25 μg of phVEGF₁₆₅ (group B) or 50 μg phVEGF₁₆₅ (group C). Nerve conduction and regeneration were evaluated in terms of the histological changes, weight of gastrocnemius muscles, electrophysiology and morphometric results. Our study demonstrated that rats of group C showed the best results in terms of nerve regeneration, followed by group B and group A. Our findings suggested that local injection of phVEGF165 can facilitate nerve regeneration and promote functional recovery in a dose-dependent manner.

Keywords

phVEGF₁₆₅ / vascular endothelial growth factor / nerve regeneration