Acidic FGF enhances functional regeneration of adult dorsal roots

Liang Ming Lee, Ming Chao Huang, Tien Y. Chuang, Liang Shong Lee, Henrich Cheng, I. H. Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

It has been well documented that the regeneration of sensory axons severed in the dorsal roots into the spinal cord is largely inhibited in adult mammals. We investigated whether peripheral nerve grafts combined with acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) could induce the regeneration of transected dorsal roots in adult rats, as evaluated by cortical somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs). Median nerve (forelimb) stimuli produced consistent responses in the primary somatosensory cortex of normal rats, but these were completely eliminated after the transection of cervical 6th - 8th roots. The dorsal root stumps were immediately anastomosed to the cord with intercostal nerve grafts. Subsequently, aFGF in fibrin glue was administered to the grafted area. Four to twenty weeks after rhizotomy, six of the seven rats receiving such reconstruction had recovery of SEPs. The reappearing SEPs typically showed similar waveforms and latencies as normal ones. They were eliminated by retransection of the repaired roots, thus verifying their source as the regenerated roots. We present here substantial evidence that aFGF enhances the functional restoration of cut dorsal roots. Cortical SEPs is considered a useful tool in evaluating such regeneration. These results may offer therapeutic potential in the treatment of dorsal root injuries.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1937-1943
Number of pages7
JournalLife Sciences
Volume74
Issue number15
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 27 2004

Keywords

  • Acidic fibroblast growth factor
  • Dorsal root injury
  • Peripheral nerve graft
  • Regeneration
  • Somatosensory evoked potentials

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics
  • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology

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