PEG Effect and its Application in the Repair Process

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a synthetic polymer and a product of condensed ethylene oxide and water. Several types of PEGs are hydrophilic in nature, making the ideal penetration enhancers. Its repairing mechanism involves a lipid rearrangement process and making the water between molecules thermodynamically unfavorable, therefore inducing fusion (Lentz & Lee, 1999). As a fusogen, PEGs can be effectively used to repair injury sites at it enhances the regeneration process. It is effective for normal types of injuries and for nerve injury repair, promoting the re-innervation of nerve function. Despite not being used in clinical set ups, the use of PEGs in peripheral nerve repair is still a promising prospect in clinical practice.