Biomechanical study on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells promoting tendon-bone healing following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (bMSCs) on graft healing within a bone tunnel after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in rabbits.Methods The study involved 24 New Zealand white rabbits undergone ACL reconstruction with an autologous ipsilateral gastrocnemius tendon graft.Both hindlimbs were included.In one hindlimb,graft coated with fibrin glue compound by bMSCs was employed (bMSCs group).Whereas in the contralateral hindlimb,graft coated with fibrin glue without cells was employed (control group).At postoperative 2,4,6 and 8 weeks,specimens were harvested to have a biomechanical test of tensile strength and stiffness of tendon-bone interface.Results Tensile strength and stiffness of tendon-bone interface in both experiment and control groups presented a rising trend with the prolong of repair time.In contrast,significantly higher tensile strength and stiffness of tendon-bone interface were observed in experiment group since the 6 weeks (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion bMSCs transplantation significantly enhances the early tensile strength and stiffness at tendon-bone interface after ACL reconstruction in rabbits and improves the graft healing within a bone tunnel.