Tetracycline impregnation affects degradation of porcine collagen matrix in healthy and diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVES

The present study evaluated the degradation of collagen matrix (CM) immersed in tetracycline (TTC) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) in diabetic and normoglycemic rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Diabetes was induced in 15 rats by systemic streptozotocin (STZ) (experimental); 15 healthy rats served as controls. One day before implantation 60 CM disks, 5 mm in diameter, were labeled with biotin: 30 were immersed in tetracycline (TTC) and 30 in PBS. One disk of each type was implanted subdermally in each rat. Animals were euthanized after 3 weeks, and tissue specimens containing the disks were prepared for histologic analysis. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated streptavidin was used to detect the remaining biotinylated collagen. Residual collagen area within the CM disks was analyzed and compared to baseline.

RESULTS

Diabetes significantly increased the CM degradation. Immersion of the CM disks in a 50-mg/mL TTC solution before implantation decreased its degradation both in diabetic and normoglycemic rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes significantly increases collagen matrix degradation; immersion of collagen matrix in TTC before implantation decreases its degradation in both diabetic and normoglycemic conditions.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Immersion of medical collagen devices in TTC may be an effective means to decrease their resorption rate and increase their effectiveness, especially in situations with increased degradation such as diabetes.