A thermomechanical framework for reconciling the effects of ultraviolet radiation exposure time and wavelength on connective tissue elasticity

Abstract

Augmentation of the mechanical properties of connective tissue using ultraviolet (UV) radiation-by targeting collagen cross-linking in the tissue at predetermined UV exposure time [Formula: see text] and wavelength [Formula: see text]-has been proposed as a therapeutic method for supporting the treatment for structural-related injuries and pathologies. However, the effects of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] on the tissue elasticity, namely elastic modulus [Formula: see text] and modulus of resilience [Formula: see text], are not entirely clear. We present a thermomechanical framework to reconcile the [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-related effects on [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The framework addresses (1) an energy transfer model to describe the dependence of the absorbed UV photon energy, [Formula: see text], per unit mass of the tissue on [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], (2) an intervening thermodynamic shear-related parameter, [Formula: see text], to quantify the extent of UV-induced cross-linking in the tissue, (3) a threshold model for the [Formula: see text] versus [Formula: see text] relationship, characterized by [Formula: see text]-the critical [Formula: see text] underpinning the association of [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text]-and (4) the role of [Formula: see text] in the tissue elasticity. We hypothesized that [Formula: see text] regulates [Formula: see text] (UV-stiffening hypothesis) and [Formula: see text] (UV-resilience hypothesis). The framework was evaluated with the support from data derived from tensile testing on isolated ligament fascicles, treated with two levels of [Formula: see text] (365 and 254nm) and three levels of [Formula: see text] (15, 30 and 60min). Predictions from the energy transfer model corroborated the findings from a two-factor analysis of variance of the effects of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] treatments. Student's t test revealed positive change in [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] with increases in [Formula: see text]-the findings lend support to the hypotheses, implicating the implicit dependence of UV-induced cross-links on [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for directing tissue stiffness and resilience. From a practical perspective, the study is a step in the direction to establish a UV irradiation treatment protocol for effective control of exogenous cross-linking in connective tissues.