Hypoglossal-facial nerve reconstruction combined with NT-3 gene therapy for complete facial palsy

Abstract

Objective To study the hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis combined with neurotrophic factor gene therapy for the treatment of complete facial palsy in adult rats after facial nerve injury.Methods 30 adult male Fisher 344 rats were grouped into A (intact),B (injury),C (reconstruction) and D (reconstruction combined with NT-3 gene therapy).The treatment outcomes were assessed by the angle α analysis and electrophysiological examination.The expression of NT-3 gene was measured by the quantitative RT-PCR and the viral vector transduction was assessed through the fluorescence microscope.Results The group D was found a higher recovery of facial symmetry compared to group C (P ＜0.01).The NT-3 mRNA expression in group D was 10-fold higher than that measured in group C after 1 week of transduction.A reduction in NT-3 mRNA expression was detected in group D 4 months after transplantation from a 10-fold increase to a 4-fold increase compared with group C.MAPs displayed significantly greater amplitude and surface values in group D compared with group C (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The combination of hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis and NT-3 gene therapy was promising for its potential application in treating facial palsy in humans. Key words: Facial nerve injuries ; Anastomosis, surgical; Genes; Rats