[Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 promotes tendon-bone healing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in rabbits].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in promoting the tendon-bone healing in rabbits after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.


METHODS
Thirty normal adult New Zealand rabbits were divided into 3 groups for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using autologous semitendinosus tendons as the graft material. In the rhBMP-2 group, fibrin glue (FG) containing rhBMP-2 was applied to the interface between the tendon graft and the bone tunnel, while in the FG control group, only FG was applied. The blank control group received no treatment after the surgery. The grafts were collected at 2, 4, 8 weeks after the surgery for gross observation and histological examination of the graft incorporation.


RESULTS
In the FG control group, the tendon-bone interface was filled with granulation tissue 2 weeks after the surgery, and the newly generated tissue growing into the bone tunnel and fibroblasts were observed at 4 weeks. Till week 8, Sharpey's fibers were found in the interface with the formation of indirect insertion. In the rhBMP-2 group, the tendon-bone interface was filled with cartilage tissue at 2 weeks, and the four-layer direct insertion was formed at 4 weeks; till week 8, the interface was mainly composed of the direct insertion.


CONCLUSIONS
rhBMP-2 can induce direct insertion formation in the tendon-bone interface after early anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The direct insertion possesses better biomechanical properties than indirect insertion.
Zhang
Li
L
Center of Orthopedics, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guanzhou 510282, China. tension_zh@163.com
Jin
An-min
AM
Li
Qi
Q
D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D011817:Rabbits; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013710:Tendons / Q000502:physiology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C499469:recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2