title: Reduction of adhesion formation after knee surgery in a rat model by botulinum toxin A.
abstract: Adhesion of the knee is a major concern after knee surgery, the treatment of which is difficult. Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injection is demonstrated as efficient in treating knee adhesion after surgery. However, the treatment outcomes and the mechanism of action are not yet determined. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects and molecular mechanism of a BTX-A treatment in preventing adhesion of the knee. Twenty-four Wistar rats were randomly divided into a BTX-A treatment group and a control group. BTX-A or saline was injected into the cavity of the knee in the BTX-A treatment or control group respectively. Gross and histopathological examinations of interleukin 1 (IL-1) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) levels, as well as fibroblast cell numbers, were assessed in the knee intra-articular adhesions in each group 6 weeks after recovery from the surgery. Macroscopic observations showed a significant reduction in adhesion severity in the BTX-A treatment group compared with the control group. In addition, the levels of IL-1 and FGF were lower and the number of fibroblasts was smaller in the BTX-A treatment group compared with those in the control group. BTX-A prevented intra-articular adhesion of knee in the rats, which might be associated with reduced expressions of IL-1 and FGF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, China.
authors.forename: Zheng-Yu
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, China.
authors.forename: Ji-Xia
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Spine Surgery, Qingdao Center Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong 266042, China.
authors.forename: Wei-Bo
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Wendeng Orthopaedic Hospital of Shandong Province, Wendeng, Shandong 264400, China sunjinke2016@163.com.
authors.forename: Jin-Ke
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A
keywords: adhesion formation; botulinum toxin A; knee surgery