ABSTRACT
Objective To explore a new way to improve the repairing effect of tendon allograft by pretreatment with ethyldimethylaminopropyl carbodiimide (EDC) cross-linking. Methods Rabbits' tendon allografts were obtained by lyopyilization.The allografts were then cross-linked and heparinized by EDC and N-hydroxy-succinimide (NHS) respectively.The degradation rate,cytotoxicity and histocompatibility of the cross-linked allografts were detected and compared with those of untreated at different time points.The injured anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) were repaired by tendon allografts with and without cross-linking pretreatment in rabbits.The tendon-bone healing was observed and compared by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at 1,3,6 months. Results The degradation rate of the pretreated tendon allografts [(6.26 ± 3.16)％] was significantly lower than that of the unpretreated [(30.70 ± 10.24)％]( t = 14.200,P = 0.025 ).The pretreated tendon allografts were atoxigenic and produced significantly lower inflammatory reaction ( P ＜ 0.05 ).The pretreated tendon allografts also showed more powerful capability of repairing ACL injury and shorter time of tendon-bone healing. Conclusion Tendon allografts cross-linked and heparinized by EDC/NHS may promote tendon-bone healing with improved stability,degradation and biocompatibility.