Work

Muscle atrophy and fibrosis are attenuated after experimental nerve repair associated with heterologous fibrin biopolymer

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background Neurotmesis leads to neuromuscular junction (NMJ) degeneration, muscle atrophy, and functional loss. While neurorrhaphy is standard, motor recovery is often incomplete. Heterologous fibrin biopolymer (HFB) shows potential as an adjunct, hence, we investigate HFB’s late regenerative effects.Material/methods Twenty adult male Wistar rats (CEUA-FMB 1402/2021) were divided into Control (C), Denervated (D), Neurorrhaphy (N), and Neurorrhaphy + HFB (NB) groups. After 120 days, nerves and muscles were analyzed.Results NB (1355 ± 170.4) showed more intact axons than C (927 ± 170.4, p = .0026) and N (774 ± 158.2, p = .0002). NMJ morphology in NB was closer to C than N, with increased nAChR alpha-1 (NB vs. N p = .0428; NB vs C p = .0084) and Rapsyn (NB vs. N p = .0130; NB vs C p = .0053) expression. Muscle integrity in NB resembled C, exhibiting less atrophy (area: C vs. N p = .0002; NB vs. N p = .0117; perimeter: C vs. N p = .0002; NB vs. N p = .0114; central nuclei: C vs. N p = .0009; NB vs. N p = .0110) and fibrosis (C vs. N p = .0061; N vs. NB p = .0326) compared to N.Conclusion HFB associated with neurorrhaphy enhanced muscle and nerve regeneration, attenuating muscle atrophy and fibrosis.

Source: Regenerative Medicine

DOI: 10.1080/17460751.2025.2507480