[Favorable effect of chitosan sustained-release FK506 incorporated conduits on axonal regeneration in rat sciatic nerve].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of 3 mm gap bridging repairing neurotmesis with chitosan sustained-release FK506 incorporated conduits.

Methods: Forty-five adult male SD rats were divided randomly into 3 groups. The rats were received a neurotomy to bilateral sciatic nerve and subsequently reconnected with regeneration chambers.

[Effect of FK506 on axonal regeneration of rat sciatic nerve in regeneration chamber: an experimental study].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of FK506 on expediting nerve regeneration of rat Sciatic Nerve in regeneration chamber and to look for a proper way of its administration to treat peripheral nerve injuries.

Methods: Sixty adult male SD rats which were randamizely divided into 3 groups received a neurotomy to bilateral sciatic nerves, then we reconnected the broken nerves with silicon tube to make regeneration chambers. The regeneration chambers were filled with either normal saline (group A and group B) or 1 microg/ml FK506 (group C).

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its fetal liver kinase-1 receptor in spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia after neurotomy of sciatic nerve in rats.

Objective: To investigate the expression and pattern of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its fetal liver kinase-1 (Flk-1) receptor in spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia after neurotomy of sciatic nerve in rats.

Methods: Forty-five adult male Wistar rats were divided randomly into a control group (n=5) and an experimental group (n=40). The bilateral sciatic nerves of the rats in the experimental group underwent neurotomy and the L4-L6 spinal cord and the corresponding dorsal root ganglia were harvested respectively at 8 hours, and 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 21 days (8 subgroups with 5 rats each) after operation.