Use of Synthetic Nerve Grafts to Restore Cavernous Nerve Function Following Prostate Cancer Surgery: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies
Abstract
The hypothesis of this proposal is that interposition of micropatterned biodegradable polymer based nerve grafts to replace resected or damaged cavernous nerves can facilitate return of erectile function by engendering directional nerve growth in an animal model. Micropatterned grafts have been produced using a biodogradable polymer (PDFA) The groove oharaotceristics obtained by micropatterning will be optimized to allow maximal directional neurite growth have been optimized The effect of laminin +/- polylysine. Schwann cell and neurona stem cells en neurite growth are being investigated. Tubulized sheets of the polymer with and without those factors/cells have been used to microsurgically replace resected cavernous nerve in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Control groups consisting of ungrafted animals as well as those grafted with native genitofemoral nerve have been generated. After an interval of 2 months we have attempted to observed tire restoration of physiologic function of the cavernous nerve by electrical stimulation of the nerve and/or pelvic ganglion. We are in the process of analyzing the tissue sections of the grafts that have been harvested to look for nNos expression and fluorogold staining which would indicate re-establishment of nerve integrity since that would be required to allow travel of fluorogold injected into the penile tissue to the pelvic ganglion.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA465857
Entities
People
- Badrinath R. Konety
Organizations
- University of California, San Francisco