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. 2017 Apr 18;12(1):60.
doi: 10.1186/s13018-017-0561-8.

Acceleration of tendon-bone healing of anterior cruciate ligament graft using intermittent negative pressure in rabbits

Zhengming Sun  1 , Xiaoqing Wang  2 , Ming Ling  3 , Wei Wang  4 , Yanhai Chang  2 , Guang Yang  5 , Xianghui Dong  2 , Shixun Wu  2 , Xueyuan Wu  2 , Bo Yang  2 , Ming Chen  2
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Acceleration of tendon-bone healing of anterior cruciate ligament graft using intermittent negative pressure in rabbits

Zhengming Sun et al. J Orthop Surg Res. .

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to test effects of negative pressure on tendon-bone healing after reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in rabbits.

Methods: Hind legs of 24 New Zealand White rabbits were randomly selected as negative pressure group and the contralateral hind legs as control. Reconstruction of the ACL was done. Joints of the negative pressure side were placed with drainage tubes connecting the micro-negative pressure aspirator. Control side was placed with ordinary drainage tubes. Drainage tubes on both sides were removed at the same time 5 days after operation. After 6 weeks, joint fluid was drawn to detect the expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); at the same time, femur-ligament-tibia complex was obtained to determine tendon graft tension and to observe the histomorphology, blood vessels of the tendon-bone interface, and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Results: The maximum load breakage of tendon graft was significantly greater in the negative pressure group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Histological studies of the tendon-bone interface found that there was more new bone formation containing chondroid cells and aligned connective tissue in the negative pressure group than in the control group. Expression of VEGF was higher in the negative pressure group than in the control group (P < 0.01). Content of IL-1β and TNF-α in synovial fluid is lower in the negative pressure group than in the control group (P < 0.01).

Conclusions: Intermittent negative pressure plays an active role in tendon-bone healing and creeping substitution of ACL reconstruction in the rabbits.

Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; Negative pressure; Tendon–bone healing.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Histology of the tendon–bone interface, H-E stained ×200. a There was aligned connective tissue, newly formed woven bone, and cartilage in the tendon–bone interface of negative pressure group. b There was less fibrous connective tissue and aligned chondroid cells in the tendon–bone interface of control group
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Vascular distribution of the tendon–bone interface, H-E stained ×200. a Blood vessels rich in the tendon–bone interface of negative pressure group. b Blood vessels sparse in the tendon–bone interface of control group
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Expression of VEGF in the tendon–bone interface, Streptavidin/peroxidase method, DAB color, ×200. a Expression of VEGF in the tendon–bone interface of negative pressure group. b Expression of VEGF in the tendon–bone interface of control group
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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