Studies have shown that
myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) can inhibit axon regeneration after nerve injury. However, the effects of MAG on
neuroma formation after
peripheral nerve injury remain poorly understood. In this study, local injection of MAG combined with nerve cap made of
chitin conduit was used to intervene with the formation of painful
neuroma after sciatic nerve transfection in rats. After 8 weeks of combined treatment, the autotomy behaviors were reduced in rats subjected to sciatic nerve transfection, the
mRNA expression of
nerve growth factor, a
pain marker, in the proximal nerve stump was decreased, the density of regenerated axons was decreased, the thickness of the myelin sheath was increased, and the ratio of unmyelinated to myelinated axons was reduced. Moereover, the percentage of
collagen fiber area and the percentage of
fibrosis marker alpha-smooth muscle actin positive staining area in the proximal nerve stump were decreased. The combined treatment exhibited superior effects in these measures to
chitin conduit treatment alone. These findings suggest that MAG combined with
chitin conduit synergistically inhibits the formation of painful
neuroma after sciatic nerve transection and alleviates
neuropathic pain. This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Peking University People's Hospital (approval No. 2019PHE027) on December 5, 2019.