Treatment of Neural Anosmia by Topical Application of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor–Gelatin Hydrogel in the Nasal Cavity An Experimental Study in Mice Treatment of Neural Anosmia

Nota J, Takahashi H, Hakuba N, et al. — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Importance

A new treatment of neural anosmia.

Objective

To investigate the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)–gelatin hydrogel on recovery of neural anosmia in mice.

Design

Anosmia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 3-methylindole, 200 mg/kg. One week later, the animals underwent 1 of the following 3 procedures bilaterally: (1) group A: single-shot intranasal drip infusion of phosphate-buffered saline, (2) group B: single-shot intranasal drip infusion of bFGF, and (3) group C: placement of bFGF–gelatin hydrogel in the nasal cavity. The olfactory function of the animal was evaluated by the odor-detection test (ODT) 2 and 4 weeks later. Following the testing, the animal was killed, the thickness of the olfactory epithelium was measured, and the number of olfactory marker protein (OMP)-positive cells was counted.

Setting

Research installation.

Participants

Mice.

Intervention

The placement of bFGF–gelatin hydrogel in the nasal cavity.

Main Outcomes and Measures

An ODT, thickness of olfactory epithelium, the number of OMP-positive cells

Results

The ODT proved that neural anosmia recovered in group C but not in groups A and B. Histologically, olfactory epithelium became thicker and the number of OMP-positive cells increased in group C, while such functional and histologic recovery was poor in groups A and B. These findings suggested that placement of bFGF–gelatin hydrogel in the nasal cavity was an efficient way to facilitate recovery of neural anosmia.

Conclusions and Relevance

As a gelatin hydrogel degrades slowly in the body, bFGF is gradually released around the site of the lesion; thus, it constantly exerts its effects on neural regeneration.

AMA Publishing Group: Olfaction & Taste Disorders Topic Collection

Treatment of Neural Anosmia by Topical Application of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor–Gelatin Hydrogel in the Nasal Cavity An Experimental Study in Mice Treatment of Neural Anosmia