Effect of Panax Notoginseng Saponins on autograft tendon healing in bone tunnel: interface histological characteristics / 中国骨伤

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Panax Notoginseng Saponins (PNS) on tendon healing in bone tunnel.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The experiment was performed in the animal laboratory, Wangjing hospital from April to August, 2010. All the experiment procedures were accorded with the animal ethical requirements. Twenty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into blank control group and PNS group with 10 animals in each group. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with toe extensor tendon was done in knee joints of rabbits by suspend fixation model. PNS was injected in bone tunnel of rabbits in PNS group, and nothing was given to blank group. Specimens were collected at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery. Sections were stained with HE stain to observe the changes of interface tissue between bone tunnel and tendon graft. Interface types were classified according to Yamakado method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At 4 weeks after surgery, the interface was filled with connective tissue in both group, while at 8 weeks, there was not obvious gap between bone and tendon graft in both groups under macrography. Under microscope, there were more fibroblast in the PNS group. There was larger new bone formation area in PNS group. The classification on the Yamakado type was significantly different between two group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PNS can enhance tendon-bone healing in bone tunnel, and promote the connection between tendon and bone. The study lacks quantitative analysis of those criteria, and the mechanics of the promotion of tendon-bone healing has not been totally clear.</p>