Olfactory ensheathing cells enhance functional recovery of injured sciatic nerve in rat

Objective To investigate the effect of olfactory ensheathing cells(OECs) on functional recovery after sciatic nerve injury in rat.Methods Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into two groups(SAL group and OECs group).The sciatic nerve was repaired by epineurium suturation after sciatic nerve mutilation.Gelatin sponge was filled around the sciatic nerve suture.Purified olfactory ensheathing cells(OECs) or saline(SAL) were injected into the gelatin sponge respectively.On 4,12 weeks after sciatic nerve injury,nerve regeneration was evaluated by morphology,electrophysiology and histochemistry study.Results On 4 and 12 weeks after sciatic nerve injury,the injured sciatic nerve was both recovered partly in the OECs group and the SAL group.In the OECs group the nerve conduction velocity,the amplitude and the diameter of never fiber were superior to those of the SAL group.But there was not significant statistically differences between the two groups(P0.05).The number of nerve fibers in OECs group increased significantly than that of the SAL group and there was also significant statistically difference between the two groups(P0.05).Conclusion In the condition of this experiment,the functional recovery of peripheral nerve can be enhanced partly by the olfactory ensheathing cells after the nerve injury in rat.