title: Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Augmentation of Rabbit Flexor Tendon Healing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study investigated the effect of mesenchymal stem cell implantation on flexor tendon healing using a rabbit model of flexor tendon repair. Specifically, we compared the difference between autologous and allogeneic stem cells. The influence of cell number on the outcome of flexor tendon healing was also investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Repaired tendons on the rear paws of rabbits were randomly assigned into four groups: control group, 1 million autologous cells, 1 million allogeneic cells, and 4 million allogeneic cells. Rabbits were sacrificed at 3 or 8 weeks after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Implantation of 4 million stem cells resulted in a significant increase in range of motion compared with control group at three weeks after surgery. The positive staining of collagen I in healing tendons was enhanced in stem cell treated groups three weeks after surgery. However, stem cells did not improve biomechanical properties of flexor tendons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High dose stem cells attenuated adhesions in the early time point following flexor tendon repair. Further work is needed determine the value of stem cell therapy in flexor tendon healing in humans.
authors.affiliation: * Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.|† Department of Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery, National University Health System, Singapore.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: † Department of Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery, National University Health System, Singapore.
authors.forename: Aaron Wei Tat
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.affiliation: * Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.|† Department of Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery, National University Health System, Singapore.
authors.forename: Aymeric Yu Tang
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: * Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.|‡ Department of Bioengineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: James Cho Hong
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.affiliation: † Department of Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery, National University Health System, Singapore.
authors.forename: James Hoi Po
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hui
authors.affiliation: * Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.|† Department of Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery, National University Health System, Singapore.
authors.forename: Alphonsus Khin Sze
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Chong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures; D011817:Rabbits; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000601:surgery; D014945:Wound Healing
keywords: Flexor tendon Injury; Mesenchymal stem cells; Tendon repair