TY  - JOUR
A1  - Heinzel, Johannes Christoph
A1  - Oberhauser, Viola
A1  - Keibl, Claudia
A1  - Schädl, Barbara
A1  - Swiadek, Nicole V.
A1  - Längle, Gregor
A1  - Frick, Helen
A1  - Slezak, Cyrill
A1  - Prahm, Cosima
A1  - Grillari, Johannes
A1  - Kolbenschlag, Jonas
A1  - Hercher, David
T1  - ESWT Diminishes Axonal Regeneration following Repair of the Rat Median Nerve with Muscle-In-Vein Conduits but Not after Autologous Nerve Grafting
JF  - Biomedicines
N2  - Investigations reporting positive effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) on nerve regeneration are limited to the rat sciatic nerve model. The effects of ESWT on muscle-in-vein conduits (MVCs) have also not been investigated yet. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ESWT after repair of the rat median nerve with either autografts (ANGs) or MVCs. In male Lewis rats, a 7 mm segment of the right median nerve was reconstructed either with an ANG or an MVC. For each reconstructive technique, one group of animals received one application of ESWT while the other rats served as controls. The animals were observed for 12 weeks, and nerve regeneration was assessed using computerized gait analysis, the grasping test, electrophysiological evaluations and histological quantification of axons, blood vessels and lymphatic vasculature. Here, we provide for the first time a comprehensive analysis of ESWT effects on nerve regeneration in a rat model of median nerve injury. Furthermore, this study is among the first reporting the quantification of lymphatic vessels following peripheral nerve injury and reconstruction in vivo. While we found no significant direct positive effects of ESWT on peripheral nerve regeneration, results following nerve repair with MVCs were significantly inferior to those after ANG repair.
KW  - Tissue Engineering
KW  - Muscle-In-Vein Conduits
KW  - Axonal Regeneration
KW  - Autologous Nerve Grafting
Y1  - 
VL  - 2022
IS  - 10(8)
SP  - 1777
ER  -