Effects of titanium prepared platelet rich fibrin on facial nerve regeneration: an experimental study

Facial nerve regeneration via body-brain crosstalk: The role of stem cells and biomaterials

The human body is a complex, integral whole, and disruptions in one organ can lead to dysfunctions in other parts of the organ network. The facial nerve, as the seventh cranial nerve, arises from the brainstem, controls facial expression muscles and plays a crucial role in brain-body communication. This vulnerable nerve can be damaged by trauma, inflammation, tumors, and congenital diseases, often impairing facial expression. Stem cells have gained significant attention for repairing peripheral nerve injuries due to their multidirectional differentiation potential. Additionally, various biomaterials have been used in tissue engineering for regeneration and repair. However, the therapeutic potential of stem cells and biomaterials in treating facial nerve injuries requires further exploration. In this review, we summarize the roles of stem cells and biomaterials in the regeneration and repair of damaged facial nerves, providing a theoretical basis for the recovery and reconstruction of body-brain crosstalk between the brain and facial expression muscles.

Effects of platelet-rich fibrin and dexamethasone on nerve regeneration after acute facial-nerve injury

BACKGROUND

Acute facial-nerve injury.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and dexamethasone on nerve regeneration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into six groups. Facial-nerve injury was created using a full-thickness incision in all groups except Group E. Next, primary anastomosis, PRF application, topical dexamethasone application, primary anastomosis with topical PRF and dexamethasone application, and no facial-nerve repair were performed in Groups A, B, C, D, and F, respectively. Clinical, functional, and structural improvements were evaluated at eight weeks.

RESULTS

The mean eye-closure movement score in Group B was significantly higher than that in Group F (p < .001). The mean whisker-movement score in Group B was significantly higher than that in Group F (p = .001). The mean amplitude of whisker movement in Group F was significantly lower than those in Groups A, B, C, and E, and the mean amplitude in Group D was significantly lower than that in Group E (p < .001). Furthermore, an improvement in nerve ultrastructure was observed in Group B.

CONCLUSION

PRF application has a positive effect on nerve recovery after anastomosis.

SIGNIFICANCE

Contribute to the literature to improve nerve regeneration.

Standardization of Animal Models and Techniques for Platelet-Rich Fibrin Production: A Narrative Review and Guideline

Experimental research is critical for advancing medical knowledge and enhancing patient outcomes, including in vitro and in vivo preclinical assessments. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a blood by-product that has garnered attention in the medical and dental fields due to its potential for tissue regeneration and wound healing. Animal models, such as rabbits and rats, have been used to produce PRF and examine its properties and applications. PRF has demonstrated potential in the dental and medical fields for reducing inflammation, promoting tissue repair, and accelerating wound healing. This narrative review aims to compare existing evidence and provide guidelines for PRF animal research, emphasizing the importance of standardizing animal models, following ethical considerations, and maintaining transparency and accountability. The authors highlight the necessity to use the correct relative centrifugal force (RCF), standardize centrifugal calibration, and report detailed information about blood collection and centrifuge parameters for reproducible results. Standardizing animal models and techniques is crucial for narrowing the gap between laboratory research and clinical applications, ultimately enhancing the translation of findings from bench to bedside.

Anatomical Comparative Study of the External Nasal Nerve in Caucasian and Asian: Application for Minimizing Nerve Damage in Rhinoplasty

Background

The numbness of the nasal tip is the main symptom of the external nasal nerve injury, especially after rhinoplasty. This postoperative syndrome can reduce the patient’s satisfaction with the operation. Having a better understanding of the anatomical structure and intraoperative protection can effectively avoid nerve injury. At present, the anatomical research on this nerve is all from Asia. This study aims to fill the gap in the anatomical study of this nerve in Caucasians and provides comparative results with Asians.

Material and Methods

A total of 20 Caucasian cadavers were embalmed using the Thiel method. On dissection, after complete exposure of the external nasal nerves, the distance between the exit point of the external nasal nerve and the nasal midline was measured, and the morphology of the nerves was compared with the Asian data. The nerves were classified into types based on their branching pattern.

Results

The nerve plane was the same as the Asian record. The distance ranged from 5.08 to 11.94 mm (mean, 8.31 ± 1.85 mm). This distance has statistical significant difference compared with the Asian population (P < 0.01). The average distance is larger, and the distribution range of the exit point is wider. On classification, 35 of 40 cases had the same type results as those previously reported, with the primary types I, II and III. Five new varieties were found which are classified as subtypes of the primary types and a new type IV. Furthermore, the bifurcation position in two-thirds of the type II cases and variations is proximal to that seen in the Asian population.

Conclusions

The anatomical structure of the external nasal nerve in Caucasians and Asians has obvious differences. This nerve in Caucasians is more likely to be damaged during rhinoplasty than Asians. Except the primary types, the classification of the external nasal nerve also includes subtypes and type IV.

Level of Evidence III

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Evaluation of Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration: A Critical Review of Literature

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a common disease in clinic, and the regeneration process of peripheral nerve tissue is slow, and patients with PNI often suffer from the loss of nerve function. At present, related research on the mechanism of peripheral nerve regeneration has become a hot spot, and scholars are also seeking a method that can accelerate the regeneration of peripheral nerve. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a platelet concentrate extracted from autologous blood by centrifugation, which is a kind of bioactive substance. High concentration of platelets can release a variety of growth factors after activation, and can promote the proliferation and differentiation of tissue cells, which can accelerate the process of tissue regeneration. The application of PRP comes from the body, there is no immune rejection reaction, it can promote tissue regeneration with less cost, it is,therefore, widely used in various clinical fields. At present, there are relatively few studies on the application of PRP to peripheral nerve regeneration. This article summarizes the literature in recent years to illustrate the effect of PRP on peripheral nerve regeneration from mechanism to clinical application, and prospects for the application of PRP to peripheral nerve.