Fabrication and characterization of a three-dimensional peripheral nerve conduit integrated with nanoparticles and vegetable oil using the dual electrospinning technique
Abstract
Thousands of peripheral nerve injuries occur every year in the United States and European countries, and these injuries seriously limit patients' quality of life. Among treatment options, autografts are considered the gold standard; however, autografts cause sensory loss in the donor area and are time-consuming for the surgeon. Nowadays, synthetic nerve conduits fabricated by the electrospinning method have emerged as an alternative to autografts. In this study, three-dimensional (3D) peripheral nerve guide conduits (PNGC) were fabricated by co-electrospinning of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polycaprolactone (PCL) polymers to support peripheral nerve regeneration (PNR). Hypercium perforatum oil (HPO), which promotes wound healing and nerve regeneration, was loaded into the conduits together with cobalt oxide (CoO NPs) nanoparticles. Mechanical tests showed that the Young's modulus ranged from 16 to 17 MPa, indicating that the material was durable and flexible. In conclusion, CoO NPs, along with HPO, were incorporated into 3D PEG/PCL nerve conduits for the first time. Findings from in vitro characterization studies demonstrated the fabrication of biodegradable nerve conduits for PNR.
Keywords
Peripheral nerve conduits, Electrospinning, Nanoparticles, Polyethylene glycol, Polycaprolactone Vegetable oil
Project Number
References
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