Collagen nerve conduits releasing the neurotrophic factors GDNF and NGF 

 -  Journal of Controlled Release, 143(2), p.168-174, 2010 .
<br/><br/> Artificial nerve conduits (NC)can clinically be instrumental for facilitating the surgery of damaged peripheral nerves. To improve axonal regeneration of injured peripheral nerves, we have developed collagen nerve conduits (NC)releasing glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)alone or in combination with nerve growth factor (NGF), which exert synergistic action on axonal growth. Degradation of the NC and their mechanical and drug release properties were controlled by two means: (i)cross-linking the collagen tubes by physical means, through a dehydro-thermal treatment (DHT), before loading with the neurotrophic factors (NTFs)GDNF or GDNF/NGF; and (ii)coating the drug-loaded collagen tubes with layers of poly (lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA). Non-cross-linked collagen NC (C-NC)released high amounts of NTFs during the initial 2.3 days of incubation, whereas the DHT-treated collagen NC (Cdht-NC)did not show a prominent burst effect. The release kinetics was similar for DNF alone and GDNF co-delivered with NGF. Within 30 days, the C-NC released 78 
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Topical Terms: </label><br/>GROWTH FACTORS<br/>CONTROLLED CO-DELIVERY<br/>NERVE CONDUITS<br/>COLLAGEN<br/>MECHANICAL STABILITY<br/>DORSAL ROOT GANGLIA