Gelatin-Modified Nanofibrous PHBV Tube as Artificial Nerve Graft for Rat Sciatic Nerve Regeneration

A modified nanofibrous poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) nerve conduit has been used to evaluate its efficiency based on the promotion of peripheral nerve regeneration in rats. The authors used a gelatin-modified nanofibrous poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) nerve conduit to bridge a 30mm long gap in the rat sciatic nerve. At four months after nerve conduit implantation, regenerated nerves were macroscopically observed and histologically assessed. In the nanofibrous graft, the rat sciatic nerve trunk had been reconstructed by restoration of nerve continuity and formation of myelinated nerve fiber. There were Schwann cells and glial cells in the regenerated nerves. These findings suggest that modified nanofibrous poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3- hydroxyvalerate) nerve conduit is suitable for repair of long-segment sciatic nerve defects.