title: Immunohistochemical analysis of mechanoreceptors in the human posterior cruciate ligament: association with aging male.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between frequency of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) mechanoreceptors and age in men.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen normal right knees harvested from human male cadavers were evaluated. Age ranged from 17 to 64 years with a mean of 35 years old. PCL was separated for sampling in femoral and tibial portions. Topographic distribution and frequency within the ligament texture were determined employing the Pro-Image digital analysis system. Mechanoreceptors were counted and classified according to the criteria proposed by Freeman & Wyke.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1820 mechanoreceptors were found, type II being the most frequent one. Analysis of the femoral portion of the ligament showed an equivalent predominance of Types II and IV mechanoreceptors. Tibial portion had a predominance of type II mechanoreceptors, followed by type IV. At this portion, receptors Types I and III were less commonly identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the tibial portion of the PCL, there is predominance of Type II mechanoreceptors followed by types IV, I and III mechanoreceptors, respectively. No relationship was found between the total number of mechanoreceptors and age in the femoral and tibial portions of the PCL.
authors: Disciplina de Ortopedia e traumatologia da Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, São Paulo, Brasil. jlcolleoni@uol.com.br
authors: José Luiz
authors: JL
authors: Colleoni
authors: Luciano Miller
authors: LM
authors: Rodrigues
authors: Geraldo S M Granata
authors: GS
authors: Junior
authors: Cristovam
authors: C
authors: Scapulatempo
authors: Luiz Carlos de
authors: LC
authors: Abreu
authors: Vitor E
authors: VE
authors: Valenti
authors: Edson
authors: E
authors: Fujiki
authors: Regina Célia Trinidade
authors: RC
authors: Camargo
authors: Fernando R
authors: FR
authors: Oliveira
authors: Maria Theresa de Seixas
authors: MT
authors: Alves
authors: Moises
authors: M
authors: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002102:Cadaver; D004210:Dissection; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016119:Posterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D055815:Young Adult