T. Qi, X. Wang, Leilei Wu, Min Han, Changchun Zhou, B. Y. Wu, Xuan Pei, Chengqi He
Peripheral nerve regeneration and functional recovery hold immense clinical significance, as they are critical for reinnervating the motor and sensory functions of organs. In this study, piezoelectric nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) with multidimensional oriented structures and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were developed for this purpose, fabricated via a combination of digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing and directional freezing technologies. The therapeutic efficacy of the NGCs was evaluated in a rat model of sciatic nerve defect, with continuous monitoring of neuromorphological and functional recovery metrics. Results indicated that the oriented structure of the NGCs and the piezoelectrically generated electric field significantly promoted both morphological regeneration and functional restoration of peripheral nerves, achieving repair effects comparable to the gold-standard autologous nerve transplantation. This work presents a promising strategy for the clinical treatment of peripheral nerve defects.