Repeated exposure of tendon to prostaglandin-E2 leads to localized tendon degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether repeated exposure of rabbit patellar tendon to prostaglandin-E(2) leads to degenerative changes in the tendon.


METHODS
Laboratory animal study.


METHODS
Intratendinous changes including cellularity, matrix organization, collagen fibril packing, and diameter.


METHODS
Skeletally mature New Zealand White rabbits (n = 10) were transcutaneously injected in the midsubstance of the patellar tendon with prostaglandin-E(2) (PGE(2); 50 ng or 500 ng). The contralateral tendons were used as 3 different controls (no injection, saline injection, and needlestick only). The injection was repeated once a week for 4 weeks, and the rabbits were killed 1 week after the last injection. The patellar tendons were harvested and examined using hematoxylin and eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy.


RESULTS
Compared with the control groups, tendons exposed to PGE(2) by injection showed focal areas of hypercellularity, loss of normal tissue architecture, and focal areas of tendon disorganization and degeneration. Tendons injected with PGE(2) exhibited loosely organized collagen fibrils and had thinner collagen fibril diameter compared with control tendons (P < 0.005). Tendons injected with 500 ng PGE(2) appeared to be more disorganized and degenerated than those injected with 50 ng PGE(2).


CONCLUSIONS
Repeated exposure of the tendon to PGE(2) leads to degenerative changes within the tendon.


CONCLUSIONS
It is known that human tendon fibroblasts produce PGE(2) in vitro and in vivo in response to repetitive mechanical loading. This study demonstrates that repetitive exposure of the tendon to PGE(2) can result in degenerative changes within the tendon. Therefore, PGE(2) produced by tendon fibroblasts in response to repetitive mechanical loading in vivo might contribute to the development of exercise-induced tendinopathy.
Khan
Mustafa H
MH
Musculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 210 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Li
Zhaozhu
Z
Wang
James H-C
JH
D000818:Animals; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000378:metabolism*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007267:Injections; D017348:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Transmission; D010329:Patella / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D011817:Rabbits; D013710:Tendons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology
D015232:Dinoprostone