An attempt to influence nerve degeneration and regeneration by using macrophage cell homogenate.

The effect of the contents of activated macrophages on the degenerative/regenerative process in the mouse sciatic nerve was investigated as a possible model for leprosy. The whole cellular homogenate or saline was injected every week around physically impaired (to bypass the perineurial barrier) and normal nerves. Recovery of the nerve function was monitored clinically and electromyographically. After 14 weeks animals were sacrificed and nerves were processed for histology. The data obtained from 134 experimental and control nerves were rated and analysed statistically. The course of the nerve regeneration in the physically impaired nerve with and without homogenate was found to be similar. One of the reasons for this could be insufficient concentration of the homogenate in the endoneurial space.