The Effect Of Cold Water Immersion Treatment On Inflammation Factor and MMP-1 Releasing In Post-exercise Patellar Tendon

Abstract

The patellar tendinopathy is a common overuse injury. After high intensity exercise, patellar tendon tissue releases mass of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 that induce COX-2 and MMP-1 releasing, which correlate to inflammation and tissue degeneration. Cold water immersion (CWI) therapy has been considered an effective way to reduce the inflammation and injury in muscle tissue. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of CWI on TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, MMP-1, COX-2 releasing and in post-exercise patellar tendon. METHOD: 66 New Zealand rabbits (18 mon, 2.8±0.2 kg) were divided three groups. In high intensity jumping (HIJ) group, 30 rabbits jumped 150 times by low current electrical stimulation, the jumping force were limited between 80-110N. In cold water immersion (CWI) group, 30 rabbits received 15 minutes 4°C CWI treatment on posterior limbs after 150 times jumping. Rest of 6 animals were control (CON) group which identified as baseline. The patellar tendons were harvested at 0 hour, 6 hour, 24 hour, 48 hours after exercise in HIJ group or after treatment in CWI group. TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, COX-2 and MMP-1 mRNA expression assessed by RT-PCR. All the data was analysis by two-way ANOVA with multiple-comparison test. RESULT: IL-1ß mRNA expression reached peak value at the 0 hour (CWI:22.89±5.48, HIJ:20.47±6.24 vs. CON:0.99±0.40, P<0.01), and no significate different between exercise groups. TNF-α mRNA expression reached peak value at the 0 hour (CWI:23.21±6.02, HIJ:39.30±8.17 vs. CON:0.63±0.33, P<0.01), and significantly higher in HIJ group at 0 hour (CWI vs. HIJ, P<0.05). IL-6 mRNA expression reached peak value at the 0 hour (CWI:23.49±5.83, HIJ:35.40±6.55 vs. CON:0.73±0.22, P<0.01), and significantly higher in HIJ group at 0 hour (CWI vs. HIJ, P<0.05). MMP-1 mRNA expression reached peak value at the 6 hour (CWI:12.10±3.71, HIJ:13.31±5.78 vs. CON:0.99±0.09, P<0.01), and significantly higher in HIJ group at 0 hour (CWI:1.40±0.70 vs. HIJ:8.72±1.18, P<0.05). COX-2 mRNA expression reached peak value at the 0 hour (CWI:7.57±2.01, HIJ: 18.02±4.17 vs. CON:0.78±0.29, P<0.01), and significantly higher in HIJ group at 0 hour and 6 hour (CWI vs. HIJ, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The CWI treatment transiently reduces the inflammation factors, MMP-1 and COX-2 releasing in patellar tendon after exercise.