Axonal supercharged interpositional jump-graft with a hybrid artificial nerve conduit containing adipose-derived stem cells in facial nerve paresis rat model

Purpose Interpositional jump-graft (IPJG) technique with the hypoglossal nerve for supercharging can be applied in a facial nerve paresis case. In IPJG, an autologous nerve is required, and the donor site morbidity is unavoidable. Biodegradable nerve conduits are made from polyglycolic acid (PGA) and used recently without donor site complications after providing autologous grafts. Hybrid artificial nerve conduits with adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) also attract attention as a nerve-regeneration enhancing agent. This study examined the effect of hybrid artificial nerve conduit on IPJG. Materials and methods A total of 34 Lewis rats were used and divided into 4 groups by the bridge materials: autograft (n = 8), PGA nerve conduit (n = 8), hybrid PGA nerve conduit with ASCs (n = 8), and the nontreated control groups (n = 8). ASCs were collected from 2 rats and cultured. The animals were assessed physiologically and histopathologically at 13 weeks after surgery. Results In compound muscle action potential, the amplitude of hybrid PGA group (3,222 +/- 1,779 mu V) was significantly higher than that of PGA group (1,961 +/- 445 mu V, P < .05), and no significant difference between hybrid PGA and autograft group. All treated groups showed a myelinated nerve regeneration with double innervation in hypoglossal and facial nerve nuclei for vibrissal muscle. Conclusion This study showed the effectiveness of IPJG with a hybrid PGA conduit especially in physiological examination.