Acidic fibroblast growth factor가 신경재생에 미치는 영향에 관한 실험적 연구

AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF ACIDIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR ON NERVE REGENERATION

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is a well-known angiogenic factor and mitogen for endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and Schwann cells. An experimental study on the sciatic nerve of rat was performed to evaluate the effect and to determine the optimal concentration of exogenously-applied aFGF on nerve regeneration. Sixty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 200 and 250 gm were divided into control group and 3 experimental groups. The experimental groups were further divided into 0.25 ug/ml, 2.5 ug/ml, and 25 ug/ml aFGF group. 10 mm segmental defect was made at right sciatic nerve and both nerve ends was connected with the polyethylene tube into which aFGF-collagen solution was instilled. After 2, 4, 8 weeks, control and 3 experimental groups were examined by clinical appearance, electrophysiological assessment, and morphologic findings using light microscope, electron microscope, and image analyzer at mid-chamber cross section. The results were as follows. 1. Nerve regeneration was seen in Group 2 (2.5 ug/ml aFGF) and Group 3 (25 ug/ml aFGF) at 2 weeks and the diameter of middle regeneration part of 3 experimental groups was larger than that of control group (p<0.05). 2. There were little differences in latency and amplitude among each group (p>0.05). 3. At 4 weeks, the diameter of myelinated nerve fiber and the thickness of myelin of 3 experimental groups at 4 weeks were larger than those of control group (p<0.05). At 8 weeks, the diameter of myelinated nerve fiber and the thickness of myelin of Group 2 (2.5 ug/ml aFGF) were larger than those of other experimental groups (p<0.05). These results suggest that aFGF enhance peripheral nerve regeneration and nerve regeneration of 2.5 ug/ml aFGF group (Group 2) is more effective than that of any other groups. But, the high concentration of aFGF may not necessarily enhance nerve regeneration. We conclude that it is necessary to examine further long term study for determining optimal concentration of aFGF.