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Aim: Peripheral nerve injury regeneration studies using animal models are crucial to different pre-clinical therapeutic approaches efficacy evaluation whatever the surgical technique explored. Materials & methods: A 944 articles systematic review on 'peripheral nerve injury in animal models' over the last 9 years was carried out. Results: It was found that 91% used rodents, and only 9% employed large animals. Different nerves are studied, with generated gaps (10,78 mm) and methods applied for regeneration evaluation uniformed. Sciatic nerve was the most used (88%), followed by median and facial nerves (2.6%), significantly different. Conclusion: There has not been a significant scale-up of the in vivo testing to large animal models (anatomically/physiologically closer to humans), allowing an improvement in translational medicine for clinical cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lumbrical muscles originate in the palm from the 4 tendons of the flexor digitorum profundus and course distally along the radial side of the corresponding metacarpophalangeal joints, in front of the deep transverse metacarpal ligament. The first and second lumbrical muscles are typically innervated by the median nerve, and third and fourth by the ulnar nerve. A plethora of lumbrical muscle variants has been described, ranging from muscles' absence to reduction in their number or presence of accessory slips. The current cadaveric study highlights typical and variable neural supply of lumbrical muscles. Materials: Eight (3 right and 5 left) fresh frozen cadaveric hands of 3 males and 5 females of unknown age were dissected. From the palmar wrist crease, the median and ulnar nerve followed distally to their terminal branches. The ulnar nerve deep branch was dissected and lumbrical muscle innervation patterns were noted. Results: The frequency of typical innervations of lumbrical muscles is confirmed. The second lumbrical nerve had a double composition from both the median and ulnar nerves, in 12.5% of the hands. The thickest branch (1.38 mm) originated from the ulnar nerve and supplied the third lumbrical muscle, and the thinnest one (0.67 mm) from the ulnar nerve and supplied the fourth lumbrical muscle. In 54.5%, lumbrical nerve bifurcation was identified. Conclusion: The complex innervation pattern and the peculiar anatomy of branching to different thirds of the muscle bellies are pointed out. These findings are important in dealing with complex and deep injuries in the palmar region, including transmetacarpal amputations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on strategies to improve cavernous nerve regeneration after radical prostatectomy, with a specific focus on the use of chitosan membranes, which have been shown to promote nerve regeneration in clinical and experimental settings.

Peripheral nerve injuries are commonly encountered in clinical practice. Peripheral nerve injuries most commonly result in serious problems affecting quality of life. The present study is designed to research the possible neuroprotective effects of Ankaferd blood stopper (ABS), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and Momordica charantia (MC) on regeneration using unbiased stereological techniques. In total, 30 female 8-10 week Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five equal groups; control (CG), the group exposed to sciatic nerve resection (Gap) (CGG), additionally following the surgical process ABS, MC, and PRP were injected into collagen tube (ABSG, MCG, PRPG). Nucleator and fractionator methods were used to estimate the number of myelinated and unmyelinated axons, axon area, and myelin sheath thickness. Also, an electron microscopic evaluation was performed. Regarding the number of myelinated axons, significant increases were found in the ABSG, MCG, and PRPG compared with CG (p < 0.05). The protective effects of ABS, PRP, and MC on peripheral nerve regeneration in experimental models in rats were shown using electrophysiological and stereological assessment parameters., Competing Interests: Declarations Conflict of interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Optimal recovery of muscle function after proximal nerve injuries remains a complex and challenging problem. After a nerve injury, alterations in the affected muscles lead to atrophy, and later degeneration and replacement by fat-fibrous tissues. At present, several different strategies for the preservation of skeletal muscle have been reported, including various sets of physical exercises, muscle massage, physical methods (e.g. electrical stimulation, magnetic field and laser stimulation, low-intensity pulsed ultrasound), medicines (e.g. nutrients, natural and chemical agents, anti-inflammatory and antioxidants, hormones, enzymes and enzyme inhibitors), regenerative medicine (e.g. growth factors, stem cells and microbiota) and surgical procedures (e.g. supercharge end-to-side neurotization). The present review will focus on methods that aimed to minimize the damage to muscles after denervation based on our present knowledge., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Competing Interests: None