Abstract
Purpose: Study the effect of peripheral nerve extracts and BDNF on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) regeneration in adult rats.
Methods: Postmicrosomal fractions were obtained from 7-day, predegenerated, as well as non-predegenerated peripheral adult rats nerves. Autologous connective tissue chambers filled with fibrin were implanted into a gap-injury site in the optic nerve. Chambers contained either fibrin, the fractions, or BDNF. RGCs retrogradely labeled with DiI were counted, the distance covered by regrowing fibers traced with rhodamine B was measured, and number of myelinated fibers in the middle part of the chambers was estimated.
Results: BDNF and predegenerated nerve extracts enhanced RGC fiber outgrowth. The regeneration was significantly weaker in the groups with non-predegenerated nerve extracts, as well as fibrin, and was absent in the control group.
Conclusion: Predegenerated nerve extracts, as well as BDNF, applied to injured optic nerves by means of connective tissue chambers, are able to induce retinal ganglion cell regeneration.
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