Abstract
The mechanical properties of ligaments are key contributors to the stability and function of musculoskeletal joints. Ligaments are generally composed of ground substance, collagen (mainly type I and III collagen), and minimal elastin fibers. However, no consensus has been reached about whether the distribution of different types of collagen correlates with the mechanical behaviors of ligaments. The main objective of this study was to determine whether the collagen type distribution is correlated with the mechanical properties of ligaments. Using axial tensile tests and picrosirius red staining-polarization observations, the mechanical behaviors and the ratios of the various types of collagen were investigated for twenty-four rabbit medial collateral ligaments from twenty-four rabbits of different ages, respectively. One-way analysis of variance was used in the comparison of the Young's modulus in the linear region of the stress-strain curves and the ratios of type I and III collagen for the specimens (the mid-substance specimens of the ligaments) with different ages. A multiple linear regression was performed using the collagen contents (the ratios of type I and III collagen) and the Young's modulus of the specimens. During the maturation of the ligaments, the type I collagen content increased, and the type III collagen content decreased. A significant and strong correlation () was identified by multiple linear regression between the collagen contents (i.e., the ratios of type I and type III collagen) and the mechanical properties of the specimens. The collagen content of ligaments might provide a new perspective for evaluating the linear modulus of global stress-strain curves for ligaments and open a new door for studying the mechanical behaviors and functions of connective tissues.
Highlights
Ligaments play a vital role in maintaining the stability and normal function of musculoskeletal joints
The correlation equation was Elinear~2126|ratios of type I collagen (RatioI) {1552|RatioIII {926(R2 ~0:839,Pv0:05). Both the high correlation coefficient (R2~0:839) and the P-value (P,0.05) suggested a significant strong relationship between the mechanical behavior (Elinear) and the collagen contents of the ligaments (RatioI and RatioIII ). These findings indicated that Elinear is reduced as RatioI decreases and RatioIII increases
The various types of collagen are the major constituents in ligaments, but whether collagen types are related to the mechanical behaviors of ligaments must still be clarified
Summary
Ligaments play a vital role in maintaining the stability and normal function of musculoskeletal joints. Numerous studies have focused on the function, injury and healing of ligaments from different perspectives, such as clinical treatments, biochemical responses and the mechanical properties of tissues. The mechanical properties of ligaments have attracted much interest given their key contributions to the structural responses of ligaments as well as normal joint function [1,2,3]. Ligaments are biological composite materials that generally consist of ground substance, collagen and elastin fibers. Very few elastin fibers exist in skeletal ligaments (less than 1% of the weight of the solid intercellular substance) and approximately 80% of the intercellular solid substance is composed of collagen fibers [16,17]
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