Sufian Narges, Behfar Mehdi, Hobbenaghi Rahim, Asri-Rezaei Siamak
DVSc Candidate, Department of Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
Department of Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
Vet Res Forum. 2024;15(11):621-627. doi: 10.30466/vrf.2024.2029563.4286. Epub 2024 Nov 15.
Scaffolds play a crucial role in tendon healing by providing structural support, promoting cell infiltration, and guiding tissue regeneration. Polycaprolactone (PCL) has been used as a polymer in biological scaffolds for several tissue engineering studies. This study aimed to investigate the effects of curcumin-loaded PCL scaffold on Achilles tendon using a tenotomy model in rats. Twenty adult male Wistar rats were randomized into two groups. In control group, tenotomy and suture placement were performed. The identical intervention followed by the implantation of curcumin-loaded PCL scaffold around the tendon stumps was performed in the treatment group. The nanofibrous PCL scaffold containing 5.00% curcumin was fabricated by electrospinning. Walking track analysis was performed weekly. Then, after 6 weeks, histopathological examination and tendon mechanical tests were performed. The weekly walking track analysis revealed a significant improvement in Achilles functional index in scaffold-treated rats from week three to six. The rate of functional improvement was remarkably slower in the control group. Histopathological examination revealed aseptic inflammation and enhanced neovascularization in the treatment group. Also, collagen arrangement and density were significantly improved in this group compared to the control samples including less regular orientation and loose organization of collagen fibers. Significant increase in mechanical properties, except for strain, was observed in the treatment group. The present study demonstrated that implantation of curcumin-loaded PCL scaffold resulted in increased fibrillar architecture, as well as improved mechanical properties and Achilles functional index in rats. To reduce the biodegradation-induced inflammation, an anti-inflammatory treatment is recommended.
支架在肌腱愈合过程中发挥着关键作用，它提供结构支撑、促进细胞浸润并引导组织再生。聚己内酯（PCL）已在多项组织工程研究中用作生物支架中的聚合物。本研究旨在利用大鼠跟腱切断模型，研究载有姜黄素的PCL支架对跟腱的影响。将20只成年雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为两组。对照组进行跟腱切断和缝合。治疗组在进行相同干预后，在肌腱残端周围植入载有姜黄素的PCL支架。通过静电纺丝制备含5.00%姜黄素的纳米纤维PCL支架。每周进行行走轨迹分析。然后，在6周后，进行组织病理学检查和肌腱力学测试。每周的行走轨迹分析显示，从第3周到第6周，接受支架治疗的大鼠跟腱功能指数有显著改善。对照组功能改善的速度明显较慢。组织病理学检查显示治疗组存在无菌性炎症且新生血管增多。此外，与对照组样本相比，该组的胶原蛋白排列和密度有显著改善，对照组胶原蛋白纤维排列较不规则且组织疏松。治疗组除应变外，力学性能显著增加。本研究表明，植入载有姜黄素的PCL支架可增加大鼠的纤维结构，改善力学性能和跟腱功能指数。为减少生物降解引起的炎症，建议进行抗炎治疗。
