Axonal regeneration and motor recovery after spinal cord ventral root avulsion and reimplantation with fibrin sealant

Abstract

Lesions to the nervous system are a majorconcern in relation to morphological and functional recovery. Therefore, the impossibility of efficient repair of lesions in central nervous system (CNS) is an important medical problem. Different experimental models of injury led to the most current knowledge on nerve regeneration. They have been important to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity in motor neurons and motor function, as well as test the potential of different treatments. In this context, the avulsion motor roots has been a reproducible model of experimental degeneration of motor neurons in mice results in degeneration and a significant percentage of alpha motoneurons (80%), between the second and third weeks after avulsion. However, the avulsed motoneurons that survive have regenerative potential after the reimplantation of nerve roots and may serve as a model of regeneration in SNC. The use of fibrin sealant can assist in the targeting of neurites to its correct target, but are still needed studies on their interactions with cells of the nervous system and axon growth. This work aims to contribute to the future clinical use of implanted motor roots, filling an important gap in reparative procedures after the avulsion. In this sense, it is investigated the efficacy of fibrin sealant after avulsion and reimplantation of motor roots. Lewis female animals will be divided into the following groups: Group 1 - motor root avulsion without reimplantation, Group 2 - avulsion and replantation of roots in the spinal cord surface. Motor tests will be performed to calculate the sciatic functional index, and number and morphometric parameters of regenerating axons will be calculated.