Partially oxidized polyvinyl alcohol conduitfor peripheral nerve regeneration

Elena Stocco,Cesare Tiengo,Leonardo Sartore,Raffaele De Caro,Andrea Porzionato,Silvia Barbon,Francesca Grandi,Daniele Dalzoppo,Pier Paolo Parnigotto,Veronica Macchi,Lucia Lora,Claudio Grandi,Lucia Petrelli

doi:10.1038/s41598-017-19058-3

Abstract

Surgical reconstruction of peripheral nerves injuries with wide substance-loss is still a challenge. Many studies focused on the development of artificial nerve conduits made of synthetic or biological materials but the ideal device has not yet been identified. Here, we manufactured a conduit for peripheral nerve regeneration using a novel biodegradable hydrogel we patented that is oxidized polyvinyl alcohol (OxPVA). Thus, its characteristics were compared with neat polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and silk-fibroin (SF) conduits, through in vitro and in vivo analysis. Unlike SF, OxPVA and neat PVA scaffolds did not support SH-SY5Y adhesion and proliferation in vitro. After implantation in rat model of sciatic nerve transection, the three conduits sustained the regeneration of the injured nerve filling a gap of 5 mm in 12 weeks. Implanted animals showed a good gait recovery. Morphometric data related to the central portion of the explanted conduit interestingly highlighted a significantly better outcome for OxPVA scaffolds compared to PVA conduits in terms of axon density, also with respect to the autograft group. This study suggests the potential of our novel biomaterial for the development of conduits for clinical use in case of peripheral nerve lesions with substance loss.

Highlights

Surgical reconstruction of peripheral nerves injuries with wide substance-loss is still a challenge
In the light of this, the purpose of the present study was to ascertain, through in vitro and in vivo studies, the effectiveness of a nerve conduit made of 1% Oxidized polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (OxPVA), a novel resorbable biomaterial recently developed by our research group[19]
PVA conduits are the only non-degradable synthetic nerve guides approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); to our knowledge, no information about the repair efficacy of PVA conduits has been reported in literature[20,21]

Summary

Introduction

Surgical reconstruction of peripheral nerves injuries with wide substance-loss is still a challenge. We manufactured a conduit for peripheral nerve regeneration using a novel biodegradable hydrogel we patented that is oxidized polyvinyl alcohol (OxPVA). This study suggests the potential of our novel biomaterial for the development of conduits for clinical use in case of peripheral nerve lesions with substance loss. In the light of this, the purpose of the present study was to ascertain, through in vitro and in vivo studies, the effectiveness of a nerve conduit made of 1% Oxidized PVA (OxPVA), a novel resorbable biomaterial recently developed by our research group[19]. Concerning Silk-Fibroin, both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated its good potential in the reconstruction of peripheral nerves; neither the FDA nor any other administration has approved any silk conduit in clinical practice[18,22]

Objectives

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Discussion

Conclusion