Abstract: Objective To study the rehabilitative effect of velvet antler polypeptides-PLGA compound membrane on peripheral nerve injury. Methods Two doses (3 and 15 mg·g^-1) of velvet antler polypeptides-PLGA compound membrane (thickness 50 μm) were used to wrap the sutures of severed sciatic nerves, which were compared with nerve sutures only. 2, 4 and 6 weeks post-operation, general morphological, electrophysiological, histological and electron microscopic observations and examinations were investigated. Results There were no ulcers in the nars and toes in the treatment group, light conglutination appeared in nerve anastomosis and around tissues. At 6th week post-operation,conglutination was alleviated obviously than 2 weeks post-operation; findings from latency inducing potentials of calf triceps dominated by sciatic nerves showed that recover ratios (%) in treatment group (2 weeks:9.07±1.44，8.02±1.41;6 weeks: 49.87±9.69,50.11±6.11) were better than those in control group(2 weeks:2.52±1.83;6 weeks:30.31±6.32) obviously in each time (P<0.01); high dose group was better than low dose group (P<0.05), and 6 weeks post-operation recover ratios (%) were better than 2 weeks ones (P<0.05); regenerative myelination fiber counts, diameter and section area in treatment group were better than those in control group in each time obviously (P<0.01), high dose group was better than low dose group (P<0.05), and recovery ratios at 6th week post-operation were better than 2 weeks ones (P<0.05); maturation of myelination fiber in high dose group was more evident than control and low dose groups respectively, 6 weeks post-operation maturation of myelination fiber was more obvious. Conclusion Velvet antler polypeptides-PLGA compound membrane can elevate the curative effect of rehabilitation of injured peripheral nerves.

Key words: peripheral nerve, regeneration