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Novel Approaches in Nerve Regeneration: Efficacy of Amniotic and Umbilical Cord Membranes in Drug Delivery.
Anna Bazell, BS; Dzana Katan, PhD; Kacey Marra, PhD
University of Pittsburgh Department of Plastic Surgery; University of South Carolina School of Medic
2024-02-01
Presenter: Anna Bazell
Affidavit:
Kacey Marra
I certify that this project has not been published and represents the original work of medical student Anna Bazell.
Director Name: Kacey Marra
Author Category: Medical Student
Presentation Category: Basic Science Research
Abstract Category: General Reconstruction
Background: In the quest for effective nerve regeneration, human amniotic and umbilical cord membranes have emerged as promising biomaterials. Despite their regenerative potential, their limited innate growth factor production poses a challenge for broader clinical application.
Purpose: This study explores the use of umbilical cord and placental membranes as delivery systems for lysozyme, a molecule with physical properties akin to neurogenic growth factors, crucial for nerve and tissue regeneration.
Methods: Using a water-oil-water emulsion solvent evaporation technique, lysozyme was encapsulated in biodegradable double-walled microspheres and incubated with both cryopreserved and lyophilized forms of umbilical cord and lyophilized placental membranes. The efficacy of these biomaterials in binding and releasing lysozyme over time was systematically assessed, utilizing the Bicinchoninic Acid assay.
Results: The study reveals that both cryopreserved and lyophilized variants of the membranes effectively bind lysozyme-loaded microspheres. However, placental membranes showed a 1.57-fold increase in lysozyme release after 24-hour incubation compared to those soaked for 1 hour at the 72-hour mark (p<0.05), suggesting their potential superiority in sustained delivery. Furthermore, lysozyme release from cryopreserved umbilical cord membranes was significantly greater than from lyophilized ones after 6 and 24 hours (p<0.05), underscoring the preservation method's impact.
Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the promising role of placental and umbilical cord membranes in enhancing nerve regeneration. The study suggests that these biomaterials, particularly with optimized preservation methods, can significantly improve the delivery of regenerative molecules, thereby offering a novel and effective approach for peripheral nerve repair.
