Extracellular matrix supports healing of transected rabbit Achilles tendon

Marija Lipar,Boris Zdilar,Mario Kreszinger,Marijana Ćorić,Berislav Radišić,Marko Samardžija,Rado Žic,Marko Pećin

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00781

Marija Lipar, Boris Zdilar + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00781

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Journal: Heliyon	Publication Date: Sep 1, 2018
Citations: 3	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: University of Zagreb, Klinička bolnica "Sveti Duh"

Abstract

Extracellular matrix (ECM) has been intensively used in cardio surgery. The main goal of this research was to determine if Achilles tendon healing could be promoted by applying extracellular matrix scaffold (CorMatrix®, USA). Sixteen (n = 16) New Zealand white mature rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were randomly allocated into two groups. Following complete surgical transection, rabbits in group A (ECM applied) (n = 8) had their Achilles tendons reconstructed using both, nylon suture and extracellular matrix scaffold, whereas in group B (without ECM) the tendons were reconstructed using nylon suture only. After four weeks, the rabbits were euthanized and tendon samples harvested and stained with hematoxylin eosin, Mallory, and Gomory and subsequently histologically analyzed according to modified Bonnar scale. Group B had significantly stronger inflammatory response, including abundant cell infiltration and neovascularization. In group A collagen fibers were predominantly found, whereas in group B reticular fibers were more abundant. Extracellular matrix scaffold has been found to have the real potential for promoting tendon healing through accelerating collagen formation, which is crucial for restoring biomechanical properties of a tendon, decreasing peritendineous adhesion formation, and reducing inflammatory edema and subsequently pain.

Highlights

Tendons are transducers of contractile force from muscles to bones and in that way they participate in movement
Growth factors on porcine collagen scaffold and fibrin scaffolds were used in combination with standard surgical repair to provide mechanical support and promote healing following subcutaneous tendon injuries [4]
Collagen fibers in A group were predominately 3 (2.92 Æ 0.29) whereas in B group was 2 (1.8 Æ 0.42) that is considered significantly different (p 1⁄4 0.00002); more collagen fibers were in A group

Summary

Introduction

Tendons are transducers of contractile force from muscles to bones and in that way they participate in movement. Tendons have poor self-regenerating ability and very often it is impossible to achieve full recovery because the scaring tissue has inferior biomechanical properties due to irregular fiber arrangement and forming of peritendineous adhesions, and this is considered to be the additional risk factor for re-injury. Injuries and subsequent inflammatory response in tendineous tissue are the common cause of pain and movement disorders. The injured tendon seems to be the most metabolically active during the first six months following surgical reconstruction [3]. Growth factors on porcine collagen scaffold and fibrin scaffolds were used in combination with standard surgical repair to provide mechanical support and promote healing following subcutaneous tendon injuries [4]

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