Autologous mononuclear bone marrow cells in the regeneration of tibial nerve of rabbits submitted to neurectomy: morphofunctional aspects

Abstract

The functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury is the main goal of therapeutic intervention. Therefore the aim of this study was to clinically evaluate functional recovery in rabbits after neurectomy and treatment with bone marrow mononuclear cells associated with the tubulization technique. For this, 24 New Zealand rabbits, were used. They were divided into two groups with 12 animals each, mononuclear cell group (MCG) and saline group (SSG). The rabbits underwent right tibial nerve section and repair by the tubulization technique using silicone hollow tube, which received 0.1 ml of autologous mononuclear bone marrow cells (2 x 106 cells ) in the MCG and of saline solution in the SSG, in order to compare the evolution of functional recovery of the operated limbs. Gait and planimetry were performed. Planimetry of the pelvic limb footprint printed on paper with water-based ink applied to the plantar area, before (M0) and after 7 (M7), 15 (M15), 30 (M30), 45 (M45) and 60 (M60) days after surgery. The results showed no functional recovery of the tibial nerve in both groups, without differences between them in different times and among times within groups, except when compared to M0.