A new nerve engineering scaffold with FK506 for bridging large nerve defects

[Objective]To bridge sciatic nerve defects in Sprague-Dawley rats using a composite nerve scaffold with the administration of FK506.[Method]Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats with a 10 mm sciatic nerve gap were equally randomized into 4 groups.The nerve defects of the rats were bridged with their autologous nerve tissue(group A),a normal nerve scaffold(group B),a nerve engineering scaffold with the administration of a 5 mg / ml FK506 compound(group C),or a nerve engineering scaffold with the administration of 10 mg / ml FK506 compound(group D).The hind limbs of the rats were observed after acupuncture,hot stimulation,and movement tests before the operation,and at 4,8,12,and 16 weeks after the operation.[Result]Among the 4 groups,only rats in groups A and C showed similar nerve regeneration.Groups B and D had inferior outcomes compared with group A.[Conclusion]The nerve engineering scaffold with the administration of 5 mg / ml FK506 could be a potential autologous nerve tissue substitute for bridging large nerve defects.