The effect of tenocyte/hyaluronic acid therapy on the early recovery of healing Achilles tendon in rats.
The aim of this study was to explore the potential for a better recovery outcome for the Achilles tendon at an early healing stage when a mixed biomaterial-tenocyte injection is used. The experimental animals underwent single limb Achilles tendon transection followed by suturing repair. A solution of either hyaluronic acid with or without tenocytes or normal saline was randomly chosen to be injected around the injury site after surgery. To obtain the comprehensive recovery condition of the rats on different management protocols, the animals were evaluated histologically, mechanically, and functionally. A significant difference in the recovery condition was found in the injured tendon injected with the hyaluronic acid solution with tenocytes compared with the other groups. Tendon stiffness and the locomotion abilities of the rats with healing Achilles tendons were improved in the hyaluronic acid with tenocyte transplantation group. The acceleration of the inflammatory phase in rats with the hyaluronic acid with tenocyte injections might be the major reason for the better functional outcomes.
Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan, 701, Taiwan.
Jen-I
JI
Liang
Ping-Chia
PC
Lin
Meng-Yi
MY
Chen
Tsung-Hsun
TH
Hsieh
Jia-Jin Jason
JJ
Chen
Ming-Long
ML
Yeh
D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000166:cytology / Q000293:injuries*; D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D017690:Cell Transplantation; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005684:Gait; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012421:Rupture / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D006820:Hyaluronic Acid