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 ex- ogenous growth factor. We developed a delivery system that could be applied at the nerve repair site to deliver growth fac- tors locally to regenerating nerve. Methods: Poly(lactic-co-gly- colic 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. Muscle Nerve 46: 122-124, 2012