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. 2021 Apr 10;10(8):1613. doi: 10.3390/jcm10081613

Table 4.

Autologous tissues used as antiscarring agents.

Reference Method to Induce Scar Formation Agent Animal and Nerve Model Analyses Results
Cherubino et al., 2017 [70] Burning Fat Graft CD1 nude Mouse
Sciatic nerve
  • -

    Biomechanical analysis (4 weeks)

  • -

    Histology on nerve and surrounding tissue (Picrosyrius red) (4 weeks)

 No significant difference in biomechanical analysis. Reduction of scar observed through microscopical analysis
Baltu et al., 2017 [46] Epineurectomy Buccal mucosa graft Female Sprague-Dawley Rat
Sciatic nerve
  • -

    Gross evaluation (Petersen’s classification) (4, 8 weeks)

  • -

    Histology on nerve and surrounding tissue (H&E, Masson’s trichrome—extraneural scar tissue and inflammation) (4, 8 weeks)

 Buccal mucosa graft decreases postoperative adhesion and scar tissue formation. Higher inflammation at 4 weeks.
Murakami et al., 2014 [62] Ligature on sciatic nerve Vein Wrapping Male Wistar Rat
Sciatic nerve
  • -

    Gross evaluation (qualitative evaluation) (14 days and 5 months)

  • -

    Functional evaluation (von Frey filaments at 1, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28 days; CatWalk system, first 2 weeks)

  • -

    IHC on L4-L5 DRG (CGRP, ATF3) (14 days)

  • -

    Histology on nerve and surrounding tissue (H&E, Toluidine Blue) (14 days and 5 months)

  • -

    ELISA assay on nerve tissue (NGF, VEGF, and HGF) (1, 3, 7, 14, 28 days).

 Significant allodynia reduction. Significant increase in VEGF and HGF. Reduction of immunoreactive cells in dorsal root ganglia.
Meng et al., 2011 [39] Section + suture Amniotic membrane Male Sprague–Dawley Rat
Sciatic nerve
  • -

    Functional evaluation (SFI) (weekly)

  • -

    Gross evaluation (Petersen’s classification)

  • -

    Electrophysiological tests (every 4 weeks until Week 12)

  • -

    Histology on nerve and surrounding tissue (Picrosyrius red, toluidine blue for morphometrical analysis) (4, 8, 12 weeks)

  • -

    Ultrastructural evaluation (TEM) (4, 8, 12 weeks)

 Significant reduction of scar index. No functional and morphological differences were observed.
Kim et al., 2010 [14] Section + suture Amniotic membrane White New Zealand Rabbit
Ulnar nerve
  • -

    Gross evaluation (4-point qualitative Scale) (3 months)

  • -

    Histology on nerve and surrounding tissue (Masson’s trichrome—morphometrical analysis) (3 months)

 Four-point evaluation system was significant in the treatment group. Significant reduction of scar thickness.
Ozgenel et al., 2004 [40] Epineurectomy Amniotic membrane + HA Male Sprague–Dawley Rat
Sciatic nerve
  • -

    Gross evaluation (Petersen’s classification) (4 and 12 weeks)

  • -

    Histology on nerve and surrounding tissue (H&E) (4 and 12 weeks)

 Significant reduction in scarring was observed through microscopical analysis.
Xu et al., 2000 [25] Silastic tube around the nerve Vein wrapping (after 8 months from nerve compression) Sprague–Dawley Rat
Sciatic nerve
  • -

    Functional evaluation (SFI) (4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 weeks)

  • -

    Gross Evaluation (qualitative evaluation) (4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 weeks)

  • -

    Electrophysiological tests (4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 weeks)

  • -

    Histology on nerve and surrounding tissue (H&E, Masson’s trichrome, silver staining, toluidine blue) (4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 weeks)

 Significant improvement in functional analysis. Electromyography and microscopical analysis showed no significant scar reduction.
Dumanian et al., 1999 [66] Epineurectomy Fat graft Sprague–Dawley Rat
Sciatic nerve
  • -

    Biomechanical analysis (2 months)

  • -

    Histology on nerve and surrounding tissue (Masson’s trichrome) (2 months)

 Significant reduction of nerve stiffness in biomechanical analysis. Insignificant reduction of scar thickness in microscopical analysis. Higher but not significant incidence of neuropathy in fat-graft group.

SFI (Sciatic functional index), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope), IHC (Immunohistochemistry), H&E (Hematoxylin Eosin staining), CGRP (Calcitonin gene related peptide), ATF3 (Activating transcription factor 3), VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), HGF (Hepatocyte growth factor), NGF (Nerve growth factor).