TY - JOUR AB - The influence of aging on the induction of nerve regeneration in artificial nerve conduits has yet to be clarified. In the present study, artificial nerve conduit transplantation and histological analysis using the sciatic nerve of young and elderly mice were performed. Using 20 male C57BL/6 mice, an artificial nerve conduit was transplanted to the sciatic nerve at 8 weeks (Young group) or 70 weeks of age (Aged group), and the sciatic nerve was evaluated histologically at 1, 4 and 12 weeks after surgery. Using hematoxylin and eosin staining, the state of induction of nerve regeneration in the artificial nerve conduit was evaluated. Additionally, immunohistochemical staining was used to investigate an angiogenic marker [vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA)], Schwann cell markers [sex determining region Y‑box 10 (SOX10) and S100 calcium‑binding protein β (S100β)] and a nerve damage marker [nerve growth factor (NGF)]. The results revealed that the induction of nerve regeneration was significantly higher in the Young group than in the Aged group. In addition, VEGFA and SOX10 expression at 1 week, SOX10 expression at 4 weeks and SOX10, S100β and NGF expression at 12 weeks in the proximal stump were significantly higher in the Young group than in the Aged group. At the center of the artificial nerve conduit, S100β and NGF expression at 4 weeks, and VEGFA, SOX10, S100β and NGF expression at 12 weeks were significantly higher in the Young group than in the Aged group. In the distal stump, no significant difference was noted in immunostaining at any week between the two groups. The present study suggested that the nerve regeneration‑inducing functions decrease due to aging. AD - Department of Orthopaedics, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113‑8421, Japan Laboratory of Morphology and Image Analysis, Research Support Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113‑8421, Japan AU - Kaneko,Ayaka AU - Naito,Kiyohito AU - Nakamura,Shinji AU - Miyahara,Katsumi AU - Goto,Kenji AU - Obata,Hiroyuki AU - Nagura,Nana AU - Sugiyama,Yoichi AU - Kaneko,Kazuo AU - Ishijima,Muneaki DA - 2021/02/01 DO - 10.3892/etm.2020.9599 IS - 2 JO - Exp Ther Med KW - aging artificial nerve conduits nerve growth factor peripheral nerve Schwann cell vascular endothelial growth factor PY - 2021 SN - 1792-0981 1792-1015 SP - 168 ST - Influence of aging on the peripheral nerve repair process using an artificial nerve conduit T2 - Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine TI - Influence of aging on the peripheral nerve repair process using an artificial nerve conduit UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2020.9599 VL - 21 ER -