Evaluation of Biological Membrane and Stem Cells as Potential Repairs of Tenorraphy in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Tendon rupture and lacerations are orthopedic problems of great importance in veterinary medicine. Many times, animals are discarded or removed from athletic life due to ruptured tendons. Therefore, new therapeutic possibilities have been used to improve and accelerate tendon healing. The objective of the work was to evaluate the use of a biological membrane derived from bovine tunica albuginea and stem cells in tenorrhaphies in veterinary medicine. Thirtyone adult Wistar rats were used, subdivided into 4 experimental groups, the control group (CG) with 4 animals, the tenotomy group (GT), the biological membrane group (GMB) and the stem cell group (GCT), each with 9 animals. The albugineous tunics were collected and underwent cleaning, conservation and quality analysis, making them ready for use. Three young Wistar rats were used to extract subcutaneous adipose tissue for stem cell cultivation. After the surgeries, the animals were euthanized in 3 moments; 7, 14 and 21 days postoperatively, where they were evaluated macroscopically and microscopically. The GT and GMB demonstrated low quality of healing and inflammation at almost all evaluated moments. The GCT presented a much better result, in relation to all the parameters evaluated between the groups, low tendon inflammation, no limb edema, much higher quantity and quality of collagen and demonstrating rapid healing and high tissue quality. We conclude that stem cell therapy in cases of tendon ruptures is very promising.