Mechanism of Rat Sciatic Nerve Regeneration Induced by Human Hair Keratin

    July 2008 in “ PubMed ”
    Lianmei Hu, Zhong-xian Piao, Qiwei Wang, Wanshan Wang, Weiwang Gu, Ying-jie Piao
    TLDR Human hair keratin helps regenerate rat sciatic nerves by transforming Schwann cells and protecting axons.
    The study investigated the effect of human hair keratin (HHK) on sciatic nerve regeneration in rats. A 10-mm gap in the sciatic nerve was bridged with an HHK implant, and histological examinations were conducted over 12 weeks. Results showed that Schwann cells dedifferentiated and proliferated along the HHK implant, with macrophages and megakaryocytes appearing around the implant by week 3. By week 6, nerve fibers and capillaries developed, and by week 9, the HHK was largely degraded, replaced by regenerated nerve fibers. By week 12, HHK was almost completely degraded, and new nerve fibers had grown across the defect. The study concluded that HHK was an ideal material for nerve injury repair, with Schwann cell regeneration and axon growth being key processes in nerve regeneration.
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