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Objective- Chitosan is of great interest in regenerative medicine because of its plentiful properties, like biocompatibility, biodegradability and non-toxicity. The objective of the present study was histopathological and biomechanical survey on effect of CoQ10 in combination with chitosan conduit on deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) healing in rabbits. Design- Experimental Study Animals- Eighteen healthy male white New Zealand rabbits Procedures- The animals were randomized into three groups of 6 animals each. In Controlgroup the DDF tenotomy was performed and the stumps were sutured. In Chitosan group the DDF tenotomy was performed and the stumps were sutured and chitosan conduit was wrapped around the damaged area. In Chit-CoQ10 group the procedure was the same as Chitosan group as well as local administration of 100 µL CoQ10 (100 µg/rabbit) into the Chitosan conduit. The histopathological assessments including inflammation, angiogenesis and collagen fibers arrangement, and biomechanical assessments were performed after 8 weeks. Results- Histopathological observations showed that the conduit was absorbed and adhesion around the tendon was deceased in Chitosan and Chit-CoQ10 groups. The biomechanical parameters showed significant improvement in Chit-CoQ10 group (p < 0.05). There were no noticeable signs of infection and tissue reaction in the granulation tissue in Chit-CoQ10 group compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion and Clinical Relevance- Local administration of CoQ10 in combination with chitosan conduit could accelerate deep digital flexor tendon healing via decrease in adhesion around the tendon with no signs of excessive tissue reaction or infection in rabbits.

Objective- To studylocal effect of prostaglandin E1on sciatic nerve regeneration Design- Experimental study Animals- Sixty male healthy white Wistar rats Procedures- Sixty animals were divided into four experimental groups (n = 15), randomly: Trasnsected (TC), Sham-operation (SHAM), control (CHIT) and prostaglandin E1treated (CHIT/PGE) groups. In SHAM group after anesthesia left sciatic nerve was exposed through a gluteal muscle incision and after homeostasis muscle was sutured. In CHIT group the left sciatic nerve was exposed the same way and transected proximal to tibio-peroneal bifurcation leaving a 10-mm gap. Proximal and distal stumps were each inserted into a chitosan conduit and filled with 10 µL phosphate buffered solution. In CHIT/PGE group defect was bridged using a chitosan conduit filled with 10 µL PGE. Each group from four group was again subdivided into three subgroups of five animals each and were studied 4, 8, 12 weeks after surgery. Results- In all subgroups behavioral testing and sciatic nerve functional study confirmed faster and better recovery of regenerated axons in CHIT/PGE than in CHIT group (P < 0.05).Gastrocnemius muscle mass in CHIT/PGE was significantly more than in CHIT group. Morphometric indices of regenerated fibers showed number and diameter of the myelinated fibers in CHIT/PGE were significantly higher than in control group. In immuohistochemistry, location of reactions to S-100 in CHIT/PGE was clearly more positive than in CHIT group. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance- Response to local treatment of prostaglandin E1 demonstrates that it influences and improves functional recovery of peripheral nerve regeneration.

Objective-To evaluate effect of chitosan conduit for peripheral nerve regeneration using sciatic nerve transection model in rat Design- Experimental in vivo study. Animals- Sixty healthy male Wistar rats. Procedures-The rats were divided into four experimental groups (n=15) randomly. In sham group the left sciatic nerve was exposed through a gluteal muscle incision and after careful homeostasis the wound was sutured. In transected control group the left sciatic nerve was exposed the same way, transected proximal to the tibio-peroneal bifurcation leaving a 10 mm gap and the nerve ends were sutured to the adjacent muscles. In silicone or chitosan groups the left sciatic nerve was transected the same way and proximal and distal stumps were each inserted into a silicone or chitosan tube. Each group was further subdivided into three subgroups of five animals each and were studied 4, 8, 12 weeks post operatively. Results- Functional and electrophysiological analyses showed significant improvement of nerve function in chitosan than in silicone group (P < 0.05). Morphometric indices and immuohistochemistry indicated that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) between chitosan and silicone with transected control groups 12 weeks after surgery. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance- Chitosan conduit could be considered clinically as an effective biodegradable tube for peripheral nerve regeneration in the least harmful way that is available, easily performed and affordable. It also averts the need for foreign materials that are likely to provoke a foreign body reaction.