What type of study is this?

This is a Animal Study study (also classified as: In Vitro Study).

August 25, 2025

Sciatic Nerve Regeneration in Rat Model With PLGA‐MWCNT Conduit Loaded by Fibrin Hydrogel Containing Nanolycopene and Schwann Cells

Key Points

Superior regeneration observed with 35.31% higher myelinated nerve density in the treatment group, confirming the conduit's effectiveness.
In vitro MTT assay indicated dose-dependent increase in Schwann cell proliferation with lycopene nanoparticles, enhancing nerve repair outcomes.
The conduit, combining PLGA and MWCNT, features optimized structure with a fiber diameter of 251 nm and tensile strength of 5.86 MPa, ensuring robust performance.
Histopathological analyses highlighted enhanced axonal alignment and remyelination, supporting the conduit's design for nerve repair.

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study developed a biodegradable neural guidance conduit using electrospun poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to deliver allogeneic Schwann cells (SCs) for enhanced peripheral nerve regeneration. The conduit incorporated fibrin and lycopene‐chitosan nanoparticles (Lyco‐CNPs) optimized for enhanced stability and drug delivery (diameter: 163 ± 6 nm; zeta potential: −9.3 mV), addressing limitations of prior formulations. Key structural and mechanical properties included a fiber diameter of 251 ± 22 nm, tensile strength of 5.86 ± 0.98 MPa, Young's modulus of 1.68 ± 0.25 MPa, and pore diameter of 21.8 nm, ensuring robustness and nutrient diffusion. In vitro studies confirmed a dose‐dependent increase in Schwann cell proliferation via MTT assay with the addition of lycopene nanoparticles (NL). In a 10‐mm sciatic nerve defect model in rats, the PLGA‐CNT‐nanoLyco conduit seeded with SCs demonstrated superior regeneration, evidenced by 35.31% higher myelinated nerve density compared to controls. Histopathological (hematoxylin–eosin/Luxol fast blue) and walking‐footprint analysis confirmed enhanced axonal alignment and remyelination. These results highlight the conduit's dual functionality as a structural scaffold and bioactive delivery system for nerve repair.

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