Regeneration of Denervated Skeletal Muscles – Brunelli’s CNS-PNS Paradigm

This study replicated a surgical technique developed by Giorgio Brunelli to restore voluntary muscle activity after spinal cord injury. The technique involves grafting a peripheral nerve to the spinal cord to encourage nerve regeneration into denervated muscles. The researchers also investigated whether Cerebrolysin, a neuroprotective drug, could enhance nerve regeneration and muscle recovery after the surgery. They administered Cerebrolysin to one group of rats, a placebo to another, and no treatment to a control group. The results showed that Brunelli's surgical technique could be replicated and that Cerebrolysin may have a beneficial effect on muscle regeneration. The study provides further evidence for the potential of this surgical approach, combined with pharmacological intervention, to improve outcomes after spinal cord injury.

• 1
  Brunelli’s concept was successfully replicated, demonstrating the first graft induced existence of cholinergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission in denervated grafted muscles.
• 2
  Statistics of the histometric count of muscle fibers revealed larger fiber diameters after Cerebrolysin.
• 3
  Neuroprotection by Cerebrolysin is demonstrated.