Reinnervation of Paralyzed Muscle by Nerve Muscle Endplate Band Grafting

Abstract : Our previous studies showed that NMEG-NMZ reinnervation technique resulted in functional recovery (82 of the control) of the target muscle. In order to promote the efficacy of NME-NMZ, we investigated the effects of focal administration of exogenous neurotrophic factors (ENF) and intra-operative nerve electrical stimulation (ES) on the outcomes of NMEG-NMZ (NN) technique. At 3 months after treatment, we analyzed the muscle force, muscle mass, myofiber morphology, regenerated axons, and endplate reinnervation. The results showed that NN/ENF and NN/ES cotreatments resulted in more optimal functional recovery (91 and 90 of the control, respectively) as compared with NMEG-NMZ surgery alone (82 ). Histological and immunohistochemical studies showed that NN/ENF treated muscles exhibited excellent muscle mass recovery (92 of the control), abundant regenerated axons (84 of the control), and a high percentage (86 ) of reinnervated motor endplates. Our findings suggest that NN/ENF or NN/ES improves the outcomes of NMEG-NMZ reinnervation technique.