GDNF released from microspheres enhances nerve regeneration after delayed repair.

Introduction: Delays in surgical repair following nerve transection produce progressively inferior motor nerve regeneration. Regeneration can be improved with delivery of exogenous growth factor. We developed a delivery system that could be applied at the nerve repair site to deliver growth factors locally to regenerating nerve.
Methods: Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres containing glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) suspended within fibrin were developed into a delivery system for local application surrounding nerve at a repair site in an experimental rat model.
Results: The system containing GDNF remained at the injury site for up to 2 weeks and improved motor nerve regeneration following chronic axotomy and denervation.
Conclusions: Based on the positive outcome of the delivery system, we plan to study the delivery system over longer time courses of release and nerve regeneration.
(Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)