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. 2017 Oct;5(4):240-248.
doi: 10.18869/acadpub.beat.5.4.521..

Effects of Chitosan-Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite Conduit on Transected Sciatic Nerve: An Animal Model Study

Maryam Iman  1   2 , Mostafa Araghi  3 , Yunes Panahi  1 , Rahim Mohammadi  3
Affiliations

Effects of Chitosan-Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite Conduit on Transected Sciatic Nerve: An Animal Model Study

Maryam Iman et al. Bull Emerg Trauma. 2017 Oct.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effects of chitosan-zinc oxide nanocomposite conduit on transected sciatic nerve in animal model of rat.

Methods: Sixty male White Wistar rats were used in this study. A 10-mm sciatic nerve defect was bridged using a chitosan-zinc oxide nanocomposite conduit (CZON) filled with phosphate buffered saline. In chitosan group (CHIT) the chitosan conduit was filled with phosphate buffered saline solution. In sham-operated group (SHAM), sciatic nerve was exposed and manipulated. In transected group (TC), left sciatic nerve was transected and nerve cut ends were fixed in the adjacent muscle. The regenerated fibers were studied within 12 weeks after surgery.

Results: The behavioral and functional tests confirmed faster recovery of the regenerated axons in CZON group compared to Chitosan group (p<0.05). The mean ratios of gastrocnemius muscles weight were measured. There was statistically significant difference between the muscle weight ratios of CZON and Chitosan groups (p<0.05). Morphometric indices of regenerated fibers showed number and diameter of the myelinated fibers were significantly higher in CZON than in Chitosan. In immuohistochemistry, the location of reactions to S-100 in CZON was clearly more positive than Chitosan group.

Conclusion: Chitosan-zinc oxide nanocomposite conduit resulted in acceleration of functional recovery and quantitative morphometric indices of sciatic nerve.

Keywords: Chitosan-zinc oxide nanocomposite; Local; Peripheral nerve repair; Sciatic.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interests to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
SEM image confirmed that zinoxide nanoparticles were observed almost sphere like in morphology and approximately 30 nm in diameter
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
BBB score for all experimental groups. Chitosan-zinc oxide nanocomposite conduit grafting gave better scores than in Chitosan group. Standard error at each data point is shown with bars
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Box-and-whisker plots of sciatic nerve function index values in each experimental group 4, 8 and 12 weeks after surgery. chitosan-zinc oxide nanocomposite conduit grafting gave better results in functional recovery of the sciatic nerve than in Chitosan group
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Bar graph indicating static sciatic index (SSI) values in each experimental group during the study period. Chitosan-zinc oxide nanocomposite conduit grafting gave better results in functional recovery of the sciatic nerve than in Chitosan group. Data are presented as mean ± SD. * P < 0.05 vs Chitosan group
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Gastrocnemius muscle weight measurement. The gastrocnemius muscles of both sides (operated left and unoperated right) were excised and weighed in the experimental groups at 12 weeks after surgery. Data are presented as mean ± SD. * P < 0.05 vs Chitosan group
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Light micrograph of representative cross section taken from (A) midpoint of normal SHAM, (B) TC, (C) CHIT and (D) CZON, 12 weeks after surgery. (Toluidine blue, Scale bar: 25 μm
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Immunohistochemical analysis of the regenerated nerves 12 weeks after surgeryfrom middle cable (A) TC, (B) SHAM, (C) CHIT and (D) CZON.There is clearly more positive staining of the myelin sheath-associated protein S- 100 (arrows) within the periphery of nerve, indicating well organized structural nerve reconstruction in CZON compared to that of the Chitosan. Scale bar:10μm
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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