Local administration of prostaglandin E1 combined with silicone chamber improves peripheral nerve regeneration

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of locally administered prostaglandin E1 on peripheral nerve regeneration and functional recovery. Sixty male healthy white Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups (n = 15), randomly: In transected group (TC), left sciatic nerve was transected and stumps were fixed in the adjacent muscle. In treatment group defect was bridged using silicone graft (SIL/PE) filled with 10 μL prostaglandin E1. In silicone graft group (SIL), the graft was filled with phosphate-buffered saline alone. In sham-operated group (SHAM), sciatic nerve was exposed and manipulated. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups of five animals each and regenerated nerve fibers were studied 4, 8 and 12 weeks after surgery. Behavioral testing, sciatic nerve functional study, gastrocnemius muscle mass and morphometric indices confirmed faster recovery of regenerated axons in SIL/PE than SIL group (p < 0.05). In immunohistochemistry, location of reactions to S-100 in SIL/PE was clearly more positive than that in SIL group. When loaded in a silicone graft, prostaglandin E1 improved functional recovery and morphometric indices of sciatic nerve. Local application of prostaglandin E1 improved functional recovery and morphometric indices of sciatic nerve.