Chitosan Molecule Improves Nerve Cell Adherence

Researchers found that the sustained in vitro release of active nerve growth factor lasted for at least 90 days. The muscular atrophy induced by facial nerve defects was attenuated, and the nerve conduction velocity and amplitude were significantly increased. Moreover, microspheres for sustained release of nerve growth factor in combination with chitosan conduits improved axon and myelin sheath regeneration of injured facial nerve.

These findings, published in the Neural Regeneration Research (Vol. 8, No. 33, 2013), indicate that the combination of nerve growth factor-releasing microspheres and chitosan conduits exhibits superior effects in repairing facial nerve injury compared with nerve growth factor alone.



Source: Eurekalert