Stimulating factors for the regeneration of peripheral nerves

Abstract

In a wounded nerve fiber, the distal segment separated from the nerve cell body, suffer an anterograde or Wallerian degeneration and within the proximal segment of the axon appear a retrograde or traumatic degeneration. The regeneration of peripheral nervous fibers is a complex process, with multiple interactions.
The factors that are stimulating the regeneration of the peripheral nervous fibers can be grouped in two categories: endogenous and exogenous. This article review some endogenous factors (the genetic factors and their expression, the growth factors, the endogenous antioxidant factors) and exogenous factors (the exogenous antioxidant factors, the hormonal supplements, the vitamins supplements, the neuroprotective drugs and the physical factors).