Nandrolone decanoate and load increase remodeling and strength in human supraspinatus bioartificial tendons.
BACKGROUND
To date, no studies document the effect of anabolic steroids on rotator cuff tendons.


METHODS
Controlled laboratory study.


OBJECTIVE
Anabolic steroids enhance remodeling and improve the biomechanical properties of bioartificially engineered human supraspinatus tendons.


METHODS
Bioartificial tendons were treated with either nandrolone decanoate (nonload, steroid, n = 18), loading (load, nonsteroid, n = 18), or both (load, steroid, n = 18). A control group received no treatment (nonload, nonsteroid [NLNS], n = 18). Bioartificial tendons' remodeling was assessed by daily scanning, cytoskeletal organization by staining, matrix metalloproteinase-3 levels by ELISA assay, and biomechanical properties by load-to-failure testing.


RESULTS
The load, steroid group showed the greatest remodeling and the best organized actin cytoskeleton. Matrix metallo-proteinase-3 levels in the load, steroid group were greater than those of the nonload, nonsteroid group (P <.05). Ultimate stress and ultimate strain in the load, steroid group were greater than those of the nonload, nonsteroid and nonload, steroid groups (P <.05). The strain energy density in the load, steroid group was greater when compared to other groups (P <.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Nandrolone decanoate and load acted synergistically to increase matrix remodeling and biomechanical properties of bioartificial tendons.


CONCLUSIONS
Data suggest anabolic steroids may enhance production of bioartificial tendons and rotator cuff tendon healing in vitro. More research is necessary before such clinical use is recommended.
Triantafillopoulos
Ioannis K
IK
Shoulder and Elbow Service, Department of Orthopaedics, University of North Carolina, CB #7055, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Banes
Albert J
AJ
Bowman
Karl F
KF
Maloney
Melissa
M
Garrett
William E
WE
Karas
Spero G
SG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D021522:Bioartificial Organs; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009277:Nandrolone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077603:Nandrolone Decanoate; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000187:drug effects; D013710:Tendons / Q000187:drug effects*; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D045930:Anabolic Agents; D009277:Nandrolone; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; D000077603:Nandrolone Decanoate