PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogel with NEP1-40 promotes the functional recovery of brachial plexus root avulsion in adult rats

Abstract

Adult brachial plexus root avulsion can cause serious damage to nerve tissue and impair axonal regeneration, making the recovery of nerve function difficult. Nogo-A extracellular peptide residues 1-40 (NEP1-40) promote axonal regeneration by inhibiting the Nogo-66 receptor (NgR1), and poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide)-poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA-PEG-PLGA) hydrogel can be used to fill in tissue defects and concurrently function to sustain the release of NEP1-40. In this study, we established an adult rat model of brachial plexus nerve root avulsion injury and conducted nerve root replantation. PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogel combined with NEP1-40 was used to promote nerve regeneration and functional recovery in this rat model. Our results demonstrated that functional recovery was enhanced, and the survival rate of spinal anterior horn motoneurons was higher in rats that received a combination of PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogel and NEP1-40 than in those receiving other treatments. The combined therapy also significantly increased the number of fluorescent retrogradely labeled neurons, muscle fiber diameter, and motor endplate area of the biceps brachii. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the effects of PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogel combined with NEP1-40 are superior to those of other therapies used to treat brachial plexus nerve root avulsion injury. Therefore, future studies should investigate the potential of PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogel as a primary treatment for brachial plexus root avulsion.

Early Intervention of Cold-Water Swimming on Functional Recovery and Spinal Pain Modulation Following Brachial Plexus Avulsion in Rats

“…Furthermore, morphological and immunohistochemical measurements demonstrated improvements, including reduction of inflammatory cell infiltration and vacuole formation in injured nerves and decreased expression of SP and IBA1 in spinal dorsal horns corresponding to BPA levels, indicating CWS as a potential therapy for reducing inflammation and pain at early stage of peripheral nerve injury. Many studies reported better functional recovery by cell transplantation, immunotherapy, or nerve transfers when other forms of therapeutic interventions were also applied for management of severe peripheral nerve injury [13][14][15][16]. The present findings evidenced the potential of CWS in enhancing sensory and motor functional recovery, in addition to modulating BPA-induced neuropathic pain.…”

Enhancement of nerve regeneration through schwann cell-mediated healing in a 3D printed polyacrylonitrile conduit incorporating hydrogel and graphene quantum dots: a study on rat sciatic nerve injury model

“…The researchers found that the combination of the conduit, ADSCs, and chitosan led to significantly improved nerve regeneration compared to the control group, with increased axonal density, myelination, and functional recovery. The authors suggest that the addition of chitosan may enhance the effects of ADSCs by promoting cell adhesion and proliferation [33].…”

Quercetin Derivatives in Combating Spinal Cord Injury: A Mechanistic and Systematic Review

“…Quercetin derivatives decreased the production of NF-кB [98], myeloperoxidase [94], GFAP positive astrocytes, p-JNK2 and p-STAT3 production [95], serum S-100b levels [106], and reducing reactivation of astrocyte and the activity of 6-hydroxydopamine [107] during SCI. Additionally, ongoing reports are reporting novel strategies towards regeneration, including the application of novel delivery systems [112] and targeting senescent cells by natural products for SCI [113] (Figure 3).…”