A novel agonist-antagonist myoneural interface surgical approach on the proprioceptive reconstruction of rat lower extremity

Abstract

Abstract Background There is no consensus on the approach of agonist-antagonist myoneural interface (AMI) surgery for its effectiveness in repairing proprioception. Objective To investigate the effect of a novel AMI approach on proprioceptive reconstruction and motor repairion of rat lower extremity. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into AMI group and control group. AMI group rats were treated with the novel AMI surgical, which is characterized by the fixing of soleus muscle to the surface of biceps femoris muscle, following by anastomosing tibial nerve and common peroneal nerve to soleus muscles and suturing the two tendon terminals of soleus muscle. Control group rats were treated with the same process as AMI group except tendon terminal suture. Both electrophysiological, behavioral and immunohistochemical methods were applied to evaluate the difference. Results The functional index of sciatic nerve, tibial nerve and common peroneal nerve, as well as step angle and body angle in AMI group were significantly lower than control group after surgery (P < 0.05). The duration of walking swing, braking, propulsion and stance in AMI group were shorter than control group (P < 0.05). The mean pressure-touch intensity of the left paw in AMI group was less than control group. The nerve compound action potential (CNAP) of tibial nerve (common peroneal nerve) and muscle compound action potential (CMAP) of gastrocnemius muscle (tibialis anterior muscle) were stronger in AMI group. Conclusion These results suggested that the proposed surgical method can significantly improve the postoperative walking stability and muscle synergism in rats. In addition, due to the adoption of graft, donor selection avoids the limition of nerve dissection condition, which can be extended to the whole body.