Application of Oxidized Silicon Nanowires for Nerve Fibers Regeneration

Abstract

Preliminary investigations have demonstrated that silicon oxides are capable for living cells adsorption. We used this capacity to regenerate nerve fibers. Different kinds of silicon oxides grown on silicon nanowires with different diameters in the range of 100 to 1000 nm were used for preparation of implants. Regeneration of nerve fibers was studied on sciatic nerves. Experiments were carried out in vivo on several groups of Whistar rats. After transverse sectioning the nerve of the first group of rats we injected the implant between the distal and the proximal nerve stumps and then repaired the injury with epineural sutures. The rats from the second (reference) group were operated in the same manner but without injecting the implants or even without transverse sectioning of the nerve fibers (sham-operated animals). The functionality of the rats` legs was monitored after six weeks. After that the nerves were prepared for examination by TEM (Transmittance electron microscopy). The main conclusion from the experiments is that the implants of oxidized silicon nanowires enhance the growth of new nerve fibers and are therefore promising for the nerve regeneration. In this report, the peculiarities of the nerve regeneration as well as the prospects of the nerve impulse transmission along the silicon nanowires are discussed.