Basic fibroblast growth factor promotes nerve regeneration in a C- -ion-implanted silicon chamber.

We reported previously that a silicone tube whose inner surface has been implanted with negatively charged carbon ions (C-) enables a nerve to regenerate across a 15-mm inter-stump gap. In this study, we investigated whether a C- -ion-implanted tube pretreated with basic fibroblast growth factor promotes peripheral nerve regeneration. The C- -ion-implanted tube significantly accelerated nerve regeneration, and this effect was enhanced by basic fibroblast growth factor.