Research on preventing the tendon adhesion by using bFGF/vitamin C composite biodegradable membrane

Abstract

Objective To investigate the feasibility of preventing tendon adhesion by using bFGF/ vitamin C composite biodegradable membrane.MethodsSixty Newzerland rabbits were divided into experimental and control groups randomly.After the animal model was established, the tendon autografts were encapsulated with the bFGF/vitamin C composite biodegradable membrane in experimental group, while no tendon autografts encapsulation in control.Three weeks after surgery, regular HE staining and AgNO3 staining were performed to observe the fibroblast nuclei and vitamin C.The quantity of collagen fibrils was measured by Luzex-F Image Analyzer.Eight weeks after surgery, the peritendinous adhesion and the maximum tensile load were analyzed.Results At 3 weeks after surgery, the numbers of vitamin C granules, fibroblast nuclei and collagen fibrils in the experimental group were significantly more than those in the control group(t = 11.78 ,P ＜0.001) .At 8 weeks after surgery, the peritendinous adhesion in the experimental group was significantly slighter than that in the control group(Z =3.922,P ＜0.005) ,and the maximum tensile load in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (t = 8.39, P ＜ 0.001) .Conclusion bFGF/vitamin C composite biodegradable membrane can stimulate the proliferation of fibroblasts and synthesis of collagen fibrils,improve the biomechanical property of tendon autografts and prevent the tendon adhesion. Key words: Basic fibroblast growth factor; Vitamin C; Tendon autograft; Tendon adhesion