[Experimental studies on decorin in suppression of postoperative flexor tendon adhesion in rabbits].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of decorin in the suppression of postoperative flexor tendon adhesion.


METHODS
Eighteen Japanese large ear white rabbits underwent complete transection of the II digit flexor digitorum profundus tendon in zone I and defects immediately were repaired using the modified Kessler technique with 5-0 nonabsorbable monofilament suture. The site of the right repaired tendon was then injected with 100 microl of decorin (0.25 mg/ml) as test toe, the site of the left repaired tendon with 100 microl of PBS as control toe. In every group, rabbits were killed and the feet were prepared for biomechanical testing, macroscopic examination and histological inspection.


RESULTS
In every group, biomechanical testing demonstrates that the sliding distances and the ranges of motion significantly increased in the test toe compared with the control toe (P < 0.05); macroscopic examination demonstrated that the tendon adhesions of the test toe were significantly reduced when compared with the control toe. In the tese toe, hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that the hyperplasia of fibroblast was significantly delayed and the collagen fibrils arranged regularly and had the normal diameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Decorin can significantly reduce the flexor tendon adhesion formation, adjust collagen fibrillogenesis and promote the tendon healing.
Central Laboratory, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, P R China.
Yan
Y
Xiong
Zhengzhi
Z
Zhang
D000818:Animals; D058575:Decorin; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D058575:Decorin; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D011509:Proteoglycans