Year: 2011
Journal: Macromolecular Bioscience 2011, 11 (2) pp 245-256, 20121211
Authors: Valeria Chiono, Susanna Sartori, Alfonsina Rechichi, Chiara Tonda-Turo, Giovanni Vozzi, Federico Vozzi, Mario D'Acunto, Claudia Salvadori, Francesca Dini, Giovanni Barsotti, Fabio Carlucci, Silvia Burchielli, Silvia Nicolino, Chiara Audisio, Isabelle Perroteau, Paolo Giusti, Gianluca Ciardelli
Organizations: Department of Mechanics, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy; Department of Chemical Engineering, Industrial Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Pisa, Via Diotisalvi 2, 56126 Pisa, Italy; C.N.R. Institute for Composite and Biomedical Materials, Via Diotisalvi 2, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Centro “E. Piaggio”, University of Pisa, Via Diotisalvi 2, 56126 Pisa, Italy; C.N.R. Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via Moruzzi 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Department of Animal Pathology, Prophylaxis and Hygiene of Aliments, University of Pisa, Via delle Piagge 2, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Department of Veterinary Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Pisa, Via Livornese, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Department of Animal and Human Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy
A biocompatible and elastomeric PU was synthesized from low-molecular-weight PCL as macrodiol, CMD as chain extender and HDI as chain linker for applications in the field of peripheral nerve repair. PU cast films supported in vitro attachment and proliferation of NOBEC. The in vitro adhesion and proliferation of S5Y5 neuroblastoma cells on the inner surface of uncoated, gelatin- and PL-coated PU guides were compared. Due to their superior in vitro performance, PL-coated PU guides were tested in vivo for the repair of 1.8 cm-long defects in rat sciatic nerves. The progressive regeneration was confirmed by EMG and histological analysis showing the presence of regenerating fibers in the distal stumps.
