J Appl Biomed 20:87-97, 2022

Effects of 17-β-estradiol released from shape-memory terpolymer rods on sciatic nerve regeneration after injury and repair with chitosan nerve conduit in female rats Edyta Olakowska1, Adam Waszczuk1, *, Artur Turek2, Aleksandra Borecka3, Arkadiusz Likiewicz1, Dariusz Wawro4, Janusz Kasperczyk2, 3, Halina Jdrzejowska-Szypuka1 1Medical University of Silesia, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Department of Physiology, Katowice, Poland 2Medical University of Silesia, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Department of Biopharmacy, Sosnowiec, Poland 3Polish Academy of Sciences, Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Zabrze, Poland 4Institute of Biopolymers and Chemical Fibres, d, Poland

The aim of this study was to assess 17-β-estradiol (E2) influence on sciatic nerve regeneration after injury followed by a repair with chitosan conduit in ovariectomized female rats. The study was performed in 2 groups (n = 16) of rats: OVChit - after excision of a fragment of the sciatic nerve, a chitosan conduit was implanted; OVChitE10 group - additionally to chitosan conduit, shape-memory terpolymer rods based on poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide- co-trimethylene carbonate) releasing 17-β-estradiol for 20 weeks were implanted. The mean number of regenerating axons and mean fiber area were significantly greater in 17-β-estradiol-treated animals. In this group, the infiltrate of leukocytes was diminished. The presence of 17-β-estradiol receptors alpha and beta in motoneurons in the spinal cord were discovered. This may indicate the location where 17-β-estradiol affects the regeneration of the injured nerve. Estradiol released from the terpolymer rods for 20 weeks could enhance, to some extent, sciatic nerve regeneration after injury, and diminish the inflammatory reaction. In the future, 17-β-estradiol entrapped in terpolymer rods could be used in the repair of injured peripheral nerves, but there is a need for further studies.

Keywords: 17-β-estradiol (E2); Chitosan conduit; Inflammation; Sciatic nerve injury; Shape-memory terpolymer Grants and funding:

This study was supported by grant PCN-1-090/K/0/O (Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland).

Conflicts of interest:

The authors have no conflict of interests to declare.

Olakowska E, Waszczuk A,

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