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  • Title: Novel heparin/alginate gel combined with basic fibroblast growth factor promotes nerve regeneration in rat sciatic nerve.
    Author: Ohta M, Suzuki Y, Chou H, Ishikawa N, Suzuki S, Tanihara M, Suzuki Y, Mizushima Y, Dezawa M, Ide C.
    Journal: J Biomed Mater Res A; 2004 Dec 15; 71(4):661-8. PubMed ID: 15505831.
    Abstract:
    We have developed an alginate gel crosslinked with covalent bonds for regeneration of dermis, nerve, and bone. Recently, a novel matrix (H/A gel) which consists of heparin and alginate covalently crosslinked with ethylenediamine, was designed. It can stabilize and release biologically active basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for 1 month, which is one of the heparin-binding growth factors. In the present report, we examined the effect of this novel H/A gel on nerve regeneration in the rat sciatic nerve. In this study, regenerated axons in H/A gel with bFGF grew faster than in ordinary alginate gel with bFGF in the early stage. Myelinated fibers showed a tendency to increase in diameter toward the normal size in the later stage. Nerve bundles in the implantation exhibited minimal fibrosis and good vascularization. H/A gel with bFGF exhibited better-developed vascularization than ordinary alginate gel with bFGF. These findings suggested that H/A gel with bFGF could serve not only as an efficient cellular scaffold, but also as a stabilizing matrix for bFGF for peripheral nerve regeneration.
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