Amniotic membrane as an option for treatment of acute Achilles tendon injury in rats

Abstract

1 5-Experimental SurgeryActa Cir Bras. 2017;32(2):125-139 Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the effect of human amniotic membrane (hAM) fragment on inflammatory response, proliferation of fibroblast and organization of collagen fibers in injured tendon. Methods: Sixty rats were divided into 3 groups: C -surgical procedures without tendon lesion and with simulation of hAM application; I -surgical procedures, tendon injury and simulation of hAM application; T -surgical procedures, tendon injury and hAM application. These groups were subdivided into four experimental times (3, 7, 14 and 28 days). The samples underwent histological analysis and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Results: Histological analysis at 14 days, the T group showed collagen fibers with better alignment. At 28 days, the I group presented the characteristics described for the T group at 14 days, while this group presented aspects of a mature connective tissue. FT-IR analysis showed a clear distinction among the three groups at all experimental times and groups T and I presented more similarities to each other than to group C. Conclusion: Acute injury of tendon treated with human amniotic membrane fragment showed a faster healing process, reduction in inflammatory response, intense proliferation of fibroblasts and organization of collagen fibers.

Effects of the application of the amniotic membrane in the healing process of skin wounds in rats

“…The histological analysis demonstrated that the inflammatory response in group T was less intense at all stages of the process than that in group C, favoring a more organized progression. The considerable decrease in the number of inflammatory cells at 14 days and 21 days in group T demonstrated that the HAM did not increase the inflammatory response in the wounds, which corroborates their low immunogenicity and its possible allogeneic use [18][19] .…”

“…In addition, the harvesting of the amniotic membrane does not offer any risk to the newborn or the parturient, and the membrane can be easily obtained and stored in laboratories for later use. The use of these biomaterials does not raise ethical or religious conflicts, besides being a cost-effective alternative, when compared to the isolation and culture of stem cells, which require more complex processes [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] . Therefore, the results confirm the biocompatibility of the HAM and that its application promoted a greater formation of collagen fibers and total re-epithelialization of the wound area.…”

“…Therefore, the results confirm the biocompatibility of the HAM and that its application promoted a greater formation of collagen fibers and total re-epithelialization of the wound area. We emphasize that the use of the HAM offers the advantages of high availability, ease of application, and good storability [12][13][14][15][16][17][18] . In this context, it is possible to affirm that by presenting properties that favor the re-structuring of the damaged portions of the tissues, the amniotic membrane could be used as a biological coverage of acute and chronic wounds [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] .…”

Complete Achilles Tenotomy: A New Improved Experimental Surgical Technique in Rats

“…(percutaneous or open) and the route of access (lateral or posterior incision) [2] [13] [18] [19] [20]. Ehrlich et al [21] and Arruda et al [22] described a technique for complete tenotomy that is easily reproduced in rats, but without description of the plantaris tendon or exact localization of the tendon section.…”

“…Despite improved knowledge of Achilles tendon pathology, the optimal treatment and the best rehabilitation protocol after an acute rupture remain a matter of controversy in orthopaedic and sports medicine [35]. In experimental studies on animal tendons, partial or complete surgical tenotomy is the most commonly used method for inducing injury [36] and these models appear useful for investigating the effect of therapies in acute tendon injuries [20]. …”