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

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Summary

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.

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FU Chongyang, born in 1975, Doctor in Charge

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Fu, C., Hong, G. & Wang, F. Favorable effect of local VEGF gene injection on axonal regeneration in the rat sciatic nerve. J. Huazhong Univ. Sc. Technol. 27, 186–189 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-007-0221-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-007-0221-z

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