title: Glycine improves biochemical and biomechanical properties following inflammation of the achilles tendon.
abstract: Tendinopathy of the Achilles tendon is a clinical problem that motivates the scientific community to search for treatments that assist in restoring its functional properties. Glycine has broad biological effects, acting as a modulator of the inflammatory cascade, and is the predominant amino acid in collagen. A 5% glycine diet provided beneficial effects against toxicity and inflammation since glycine may restructure the collagen molecules faster due to its broad anti-inflammatory effects. The purpose was analyze the effects of a 5% glycine diet in rats as a treatment for the inflammatory process. The experimental groups were as follows: C (control group), G1 and G3 (inflammatory group), and G2 and G4 (glycine+inflammatory group). G1 and G2 were euthanized 8 days following injury, and G3 and G4 were euthanized 22 days following injury. The concentrations of hydroxyproline, non-collagenous proteins, and glycosaminoglycans, as well as the activity of MMP-2 and -9 were analyzed. Biomechanical and morphological tests were employed. Higher concentrations of hydroxyproline and glycosaminoglycans were found in G4 and an increased activity of MMP-2 was found in G2. Higher birefringence was noted in group G2. The biomechanical results indicated that the tendon was more resistant to loading to rupture upon treatment with a glycine diet in group G4. Glycine induced the synthesis of important components of the tendon. A rapid remodeling was noted when compared with the inflamed-only groups. These data suggest that glycine may be a beneficial supplement for individuals with inflammation of the Achilles tendon.
authors.affiliation: Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas 13083-863 CP 6109, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cristiano Pedrozo
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.forename: Letícia Prado
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: De Oliveira
authors.forename: Flávia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Da Ré Guerra
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dos Santos De Almeida
authors.forename: Maria Cristina Cintra Gomes
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Marcondes
authors.forename: Edson Rosa
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Pimentel
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005998:Glycine / Q000187:drug effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000178:diet therapy*
chemical_list: D005998:Glycine
keywords: achilles tendon; extracellular matrix; glycine; inflammatory process; tendinopathy