Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor enhances axonal regeneration following sciatic nerve transection in adult rats

Adult rat sciatic nerve was transected and sutured with an entubulation technique. The nerve interstump gap was filled with either collagen gel (COL) or collagen gel mixed with glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (COL/GDNF). Four weeks after nerve transection, horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labelled spinal cord motoneurons and the myelinated distal stump axons were quantified. Compared with the COL group, the percentages of labeled spinal somas and axon number were significantly increased after topically applied glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). The functional recovery of the transected nerve was improved in COL/GDNF group. GAP-43 expression was also significantly higher in COL/GDNF group 1 and 2 weeks after sciatic nerve axotomy vs. COL group. These data provide strong evidence that GDNF could promote axonal regeneration in adult rats, suggesting the potential use of GDNF in therapeutic approaches to peripheral nerve injury and neuropathies.