Improved healing of transected rabbit Achilles tendon after a single injection of cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein-2.
BACKGROUND
Achilles tendon ruptures in humans might be treated more efficiently with the help of a growth factor. Cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein-2 has been shown to induce formation of tendon-like tissue.


OBJECTIVE
Cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein-2 has a positive effect on mechanical parameters for tendon healing in a rabbit model with Achilles tendon transection.


METHODS
Controlled laboratory study.


METHODS
The right Achilles tendon of 40 rabbits was transected without tendon suture. Cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein-2 (10 micro g) or vehicle control (acetate buffer) was injected locally 2 hours postoperatively. All tendons were tested biomechanically at 8 and 14 days, and treated tendons were histologically and radiographically evaluated at 56 days.


RESULTS
At 14 days, both failure load and stiffness of treated tendons were increased by 35%. The treated tendons had significantly larger callus size at 8 and 14 days. Histologic and radiographic examination showed no signs of ossification in the treated tendons after 56 days.


CONCLUSIONS
A single injection of cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein-2 led to a stronger and stiffer tendon callus than that in the controls without inducing bone formation.


CONCLUSIONS
Similar results from a larger animal model would suggest a possible future use of cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein-2 in the treatment of human Achilles tendon ruptures.
Forslund
Carina
C
Department of Orthopedics, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Aspenberg
Per
P
D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000293:injuries*; D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002021:Buffers; D005260:Female; D007267:Injections / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D011817:Rabbits; D012421:Rupture / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D002021:Buffers; C090394:cartilage-derived-morphogenetic protein-2