Neuronal quantification with FK-506 treatmemt

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J Reconstr Microsurg. 2006 Jul;22(5):363-74.

Neuronal quantification in cold-preserved nerve allografts and

treatment with FK-506 through osmotic pumps compared to nerve

autografts.

Hontanilla B, Yeste L, Auba C, Gorria O.

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Clinica

Universitaria, Universidad de Navarra, Spain.

Nerve regeneration across nerve autografts was compared to cold-

preserved nerve allografts and treatment with FK-506. The tibial

branch of the rat sciatic nerve was transected and immediately

repaired with nerve autografts and allografts. FK-506 was

administered for 4 weeks through osmotic pumps to different groups of

both auto- and allograft cases. The nerves of two allografted groups

were preserved with University of Wisconsin Cold Storage Solution

(UWCSS) for 3 weeks. Quantification of retrograde-labelled

motoneurons and axonal counts was performed. Nerve regeneration

through nerve allografts treated with FK-506 or UWCSS was similar to

the regeneration obtained when non-treated nerve autografts were

used. However, there was no additive effect of the two treatments,

and neither FK-506 nor UWCSS improved the number of gamma

motoneurons. Both UWCSS and FK-506 administration with osmotic pumps

was effective in improving nerve regeneration in allografts,

achieving a level comparable to that obtained in non-grafted control

cases.