Objective To observe the effects of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on the expression of neurotrophic factor protein gene in the retinal detachment (RD) rabbits. Methods 60 healthy rabbits were randomly divided into control group (group A), retinal detachment with PBS group (group B), retinal detachment with BMSCs group (group C), 20 rabbits in each group. RD model were established for rabbits in group B and C. 10 μl PBS was injected into the subretinal space of rabbits in group B, while 10 μl CM-Dil labeled BMSC PBS was injected into subretinal space of rabbits in group C. The rabbits in the group A received no treatment. At 1, 2 and 4 weeks after modeling, the mRNA expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) were measured by real-time quantitative PCR. Results At 1, 2 and 4 weeks after modeling, the mRNA expression of bFGF, BDNF, CNTF on retinal tissue were increased significantly in group C as compared with group A and B (P < 0.01). At 1 week after modeling, the mRNA expression of bFGF and CNTF on retinal tissue were increased significantly in group B as compared with group A, the mRNA expression of BDNF on retinal tissue in group B was similar with group C. At 2 and 4 weeks after modeling, the mRNA expression of bFGF, BDNF, CNTF were decreased in group B as compared with group A. Conclusion Subretinal transplantation of BMSC can increase the mRNA expression of bFGF, BDNF and CNTF on retinal tissue in RD rabbits.
Objective:To study the effects of growth factor on the proliferation of the cultured huamn retinal glial cells. Methods:EGF(0.5～100.0ng/ml) and NGF (0.5～10.0ng/ml) were added to cultures of human retinal glial cells and the proliferation rates of the cells were measured by MTT method. Results:EGF at a dosage ranging from 0.5ng/ml to 100.0ng/ml and NGF (0.05～10.0ng/ml) stimulated the cellular proliferation effectively with their EC 50 of 17ng/ml and 0.7 ng/ml respectively. Conclusion:Both EGF and NGF NGF had an effective stimulation on human retinal glial cell proliferation.They may play a role in the formation of PVR. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1998,14:33-34)
Objective To establish an animal model for repairing the sciatic nerve defect with a biodegradable poly D,L-lactic acid/nerve growth factor (PDLLA/NGF) that can control the release conduit in rats and to observe an effect of the conduit on the sciatic nerve regeneration. Methods The PDLLA conduit and the PDLLA/NGF-controlled release conduit (NGF 450 U per conduit) were madewith the solvent-volatilixation method. Forty male SD rats were randomly and equally divided into 4 groups. The middle segments (10 mm) of the sciatic nerves of the rats were excised and were then repaired with the sciatic nerve autograft(Group A), with the PDLLA conduit (Group B), with the PDLLA conduit and an injection of NGF (30 U) into the conduit (Group C), and with the PDLLA/NGF controlled-release conduit (Group D), respectively, with the 10-mm nerve defect left behind. Three months after operation, the morphologic parameters of the nerve regeneration were observed and evaluated under light microscope and electron microscope, and the image analysis was also made. Results Three months after operation, porous adherence between the conduit and the surrounding tissues could be observed. The conduit presented a partial biodegradation but still remainedintact in the outline and the proximal nerve regenerated through the conduit cavity. Based on the histological observation, the quantity, uniformity, and maturity of the nerve fiber regeneration in Groups A and D were better than those in Groups B and C. The image analysis indicated that there were no significant differences in the nerve fiber diameter, axon diameter or myelin thickness between Group A and Group D (P＞0.05). However, all the parameters in Groups A and D were better than those in Groups B and C (P＜0.05). Conclusion The PDLLA/NGF-controlled release conduit can effectively promote the sciatic nerve regeneration of rats. Its morphological index is similar to that of the nerve autograft.
Objective To observe the distribution and concentration of 125I-nerve growth factor (NGF) in rabbitsprime; eyes after intravitreal injection and posterior juxtascleral injection.Methods Intravitreal injection(group A) and posterior juxtascleral injection (group B) were performed with the dosage of 30mu;g/100mu;l 125I-NGF on left and right eyes in 45 white rabbits respectively. The gamma;-counts and the concentration of 125I-NGF (％ID/g) of each ocular tissue was determined 15 and 30 minutes, and 1,3,6,12,24,and 48 hours after injection. Results The 125I-NGF diffusion in group A was faster in ocular content and ocular inner wall. The vitreous content of 125I-NGF decreased gradually in group A, the curve changes in other eye tissues were normal. The concentration of 125I-NGF reached the peak 3 hours after injection in aqueous humor, iris and ciliary body, retina, and choroids, but 6 hours after injection in sclera and 8 hours in cornea. The changes of concentration of 125I-NGF in group B showed normal curve change. The peak time in group B were all 6 hours in all the tissues except aqueous humor (3 hours). Except the high concentration in vitreous body caused by intravitreal injection, the concentration of 125I-NGF in retina was the highest in group A. Conclusion Intravitreal injection of 125I-NGF can gain higher concentration in each ocular tissue than posterior juxtascleral injection, especially in retina. So intravitreal injection of NGF is a better ocular delivery method to treat the ocular fundus diseases.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of nerve growth factor(NGF) on the burn wound healing and to study the mechanism of burn wound healing. METHODS: Six domestic pigs weighting around 20 kg were used as experimental animals. Twenty-four burn wound, each 2.5 cm in diameter, were induced on every pigs by scalding. Three different concentrations of NGF, 1 microgram/ml, 2.5 micrograms/ml, 5 micrograms/ml were topically applied after thermal injury, and saline solution used as control group. Biopsy specimens were taken at 3, 5 and 9 days following treatment and immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the epidermal growth factor(EGF), EGF receptor (EGF-R), NGF, NGF receptor (NGF-R), NGF, NGF-R, CD68 and CD3. RESULTS: The expression of EGF, EGF-R, NGF, NGF-R CD68 and CD3 were observed in the experimental group, especially at 5 and 9 days, no expression of those six items in the control group. CONCLUSION: NGF can not only act directly on burn wound, but also modulate other growth factors on the burn wound to accelerate the healing of burn wound.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) and nimodipine (NP) on fetal spinal cord graft in repair of injury of spinal cord. METHODS: A total of 144 adult Wistar rats were included in this study. All were made as the hemi-section cavity injury model at the lumbar enlargement and divided into three groups: fetal spinal cord graft (group Tr), fetal spinal cord graft with NGF (group TN), and fetal spinal cord graft with NGF and NP (group TNN). The intracellular concentration of free ionic calcium was measured at the 4th, 8th, and 24th hour, and superoxidase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) at 3rd, 6th, 12th, 24th and 72nd hour after operation. RESULTS: After spinal cord was injured, the concentration of MDA and intracellular concentration of free ionic calcium increased and reached to the peak at the 6th and 8th hour respectively, but SOD decreased and at 24th hour to its vale. The MDA was significantly lower in group TN than in group Tr, while the SOD was higher (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference on intracellular free ionic calcium concentration between group Tr and TN. The concentration of SOD of group TNN was the highest and the intracellular concentration of free ionic calcium was the lowest in the three groups (P lt; 0.05). The weekly mortality was 33%, 31%, 17% respectively in group Tr, TN and TNN. The mortality of group TNN was significantly lower than the other two groups (P lt; 0.01). CONCLUSION: Although the fetal spinal cord graft is an effective method to repair laboratory spinal cord injury, NGF and ND can interrupt secondary injury and increase survival rate of the host.
Objective To investigate the influence of nerve growth factor (NGF) on neuroal regeneration of somatovisceral heterogenic reinnervation using a rat phrenic-to-vagus anastomosis model. Methods Forty male SD rats, aging 3 months and weighing 200 g, were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups. In group A (n=10, control group), phrenic and vagusnerves were exposed and no neurorraphy was performed. In group B (n=15) and group C (n=15), both nerves were transected and proximal stump of phrenic nevers were microsurgically anastomosed to the distal stump of vagus nerves. Postoperatively, group C was intraperitoneally injected with NGF (20 μg/kg·d), while groups A and B were given matching sal ine solution. Twelve weeks later, cardiac function was examined under electrical stimulation of the regenerated nerve. Light and electron microscopies were used to examine the heterogenic regenerated nerve, and the passing rate of axon and thickness of myel in sheath were calculated. Results Under electrical never stimulation in groups A, B, and C, the decreases of blood pressure were (20.12 ± 2.57), (10.63 ± 2.44), and (14.18 ± 2.93) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), respectively; and the decreases of heart rate were (66.77 ± 9.96), (33.44 ± 11.82), and (43.27 ± 11.02)/minutes, respectively. In group B, the decrease ampl itudes of blood pressure and heart rate were 52.83% and50.08% of group A, respectively. Blood pressure and heart rate in group C also decreased dramatically; the decrease ampl itudes of blood pressure and heart rate in group C were 70.48% and 64.80% of group A. There were significant differences in the decrease ampl itudes of blood pressure and heart rate (P lt; 0.05) between group B and group C. Morphological observation showed that heterogenic nerve fibers had the structure of matured myel in sheath and their axons could regenerate into the vagus nerve. In group B and group C, the passing rates of axon were 66.83% ± 4.46% and 81.63% ± 3.56%, respectively; and the thicknesses of myel in sheath were (0.25 ± 0.10) μm and (0.46 ± 0.08) μm, respectively; showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05) between group B and group C. Conclusion Heterogenic nerve is primarily a somatic motor nerve; NGF can promote the axons of heterogenic nerve to regenerate into the parasympathetic nerve.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nerve regeneration after implantation of chitin tubes containing nerve growth factor(NGF) in the rabbit facial nerve. METHODS: Bilateral 8 mm defect of superior buccal divisions of the facial nerves were made in 16 New Zealand rabbits. Chitin tubes containing NGF were implanted into the gaps, and autologous nerves were implanted into the right gaps as control. The nerve regeneration was evaluated with electrophysiological and ultrastructural examination after 8 and 16 weeks of operation. RESULTS: Chitin tubes containing NGF successfully induced the nerve regeneration, regularly arranged myelinated and unmyelinated axons could be observed across the 8 mm gaps, and the myelin sheath was thick with clear lamellar structure at 8 weeks after operation, The regenerated nerve fibers increased and were more mature at 16 weeks after operation. There were no significant difference in electrical impulse conduction velocity through the neural regeneration between the experimental and control sides (P gt; 0.05). CONCLUSION: Chitin tubes containing NGF can provide optimal conditions for regeneration of rabbit facial nerve.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) on angiogenesis and skeletal muscle fiber remodeling in ischemic hindlimbs, and study the relationship of NGF and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to angiogenesis. MethodsEighteen mice were randomly allocated to normal control group (n=6), blank control group (n=6), and NGF gene transfection group (n=6). The left hindlimb ischemia model was established by ligating the femoral artery. NGF plasmid (125μg) was injected into the mouse ischemic gastrocnemius in the NGF gene transfection group. The same volume of normal saline (200μL) was injected into the mouse ischemic gastrocnemius in the blank control group. The gastrocnemius of left hindlimb was harvested under the condition of peritoneal cavity anesthesia on the 21th day after operation, and then the mice were sacrificed. The gastrocnemius of three groups were tested by hematoxylin-eosin staining, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and CD34 were determined by immunohistochemistry staining. Skeletal muscle fiber type was tested by myosin ATPase staining. NGF and VEGF protein expression were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. ResultsOn the 21th day after surgery, compared with the blank control group, the skeletal muscle atrophy degree was weaker, the functional assessment score was significantly lower (P < 0.05), the endothelial cell proliferation index, capillary density, the typeⅠskeletal muscle fiber proportion, NGF and VEGF expression were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the NGF gene transfection group. ConclusionsNGF gene transfection could promote NGF and VEGF expression and angiogenesis in ischemic hindlimbs, and induce typeⅠskeletal muscle fibers formation in ischemic hindlimbs. The molecular regulation mechanism still needs to be further studied.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on mRNA expression of NGF and IGF-1 in injured nerve. METHODS: Sciatic nerve injury model was established by transection of right side sciatic nerve in 90 male SD rats, which were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group was treated with electroacupuncture, no treatment in the control group. The distal part of the injured nerve was harvested after 1, 2, 4, 6 and 10 weeks of operation and stored in the liquid nitrogen. The total RNA was extracted by the TRIzol reagent. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was used to detected the mRNA expression of NGF and IGF-1. RESULTS: The mRNA expression of NGF in the experimental group was increased quickly from the second week, and reached to highest level in the fourth week. It was much higher than that of the control group (P lt; 0.05). Then it began to decline in following time and approximately reached to the level of the first week after 10 weeks of operation. The mRNA expression of IGF-1 in the experimental group was remarkably increased in the second and fourth week, and which was much higher than that of the control group respectively(P lt; 0.05). Although the mRNA expression of IGF-1 after 10 weeks of operation in the experimental group was higher than that of the control group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups(P gt; 0.05). There was linear correlation in the fourth week between mRNA expression of NGF and IGF-1 in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: The mRNA expression of NGF and IGF-1 can be elevated in injured nerve at early stage interfered with electroacupuncture.