title: Bio-engineered synovial membrane to prevent tendon adhesions in rabbit flexor tendon model.
abstract: During tendon injuries, the tendon sheath is also damaged. This study aims to test effectiveness of engineered tendon synovial cell biomembrane on prevention of adhesions. Forty New Zealand Rabbits enrolled into four study groups. Engineered synovial sheath was produced by culturing cell suspension on fabricated collagen matrix membrane. Study groups were: tendon repair (group A), tendon repair zone covered with plane matrix (Group B), synovial suspension injection into the zone of repair over matrix (Group C), and biomembrane application (Group D). Biomechanical evaluations of tendon excursion, metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints range of motion, H&E and Alcian Blue with neutral red staining, and adhesion formation graded for histological assessments were studied. Ten non-operated extremities used as control. Tendon excursions and range of motions were significantly higher and close to control group for Group D, p < 0.05. Adhesion formation was not different among Groups C, D, and Control, p > 0.005. Hyaluronic acid synthesis was demonstrated at groups C and D at the zone of injury. Application of synovial cells into the tendon repair zone either by cell suspension or within a biomembrane significantly decreases the adhesion formation. Barrier effect of collagen matrix and restoration of hyaluronic acid synthesis can explain the possible mechanism of action.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Alim Can
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Baymurat
authors.forename: Akif Muhtar
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.forename: Haluk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yetkin
authors.forename: Mehmet Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ergun
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Helvacıoglu
authors.forename: Asya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ozkızılcık
authors.forename: Kadriye
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tuzlakoğlu
authors.forename: E Ertugrul
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Şener
authors.forename: Deniz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Erdogan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008954:Models, Biological; D011817:Rabbits; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D013710:Tendons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions
keywords: adhesion formation; biomembrane; collagen matrix; synovial cell; tendon healing