The effect of thermosensitive hydrogel platelet–rich–plasma complex in the treatment of partial tear of anterior cruciate ligament in rat model

Publication date: Available online 22 January 2020Source: Journal of Orthopaedic TranslationAuthor(s): Yue Li, Sai C. Fu, Yau C. Cheuk, Tim-Yun Ong, Hua Feng, Shu-Hang YungAbstractThe treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) partial tear is controversial. The reconstructive surgery is invasive, while the prevalence of subsequent insufficiency after conservative treatment has been reported to range from 11% to 62%. Therefore, a new method that promotes tissue regeneration is needed. The aim of this study is to observe the healing of ACL partial tear biomechanically and histologically after the administration of a thermosensitive hydrogel platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) complex. The complex was prepared according to a previously published protocol. One hundred and fifty 12-week-old male Sprague–Dawley rats were included, and they were allocated into 4 groups. Lesion control group (Group 1), treatment group (Group 2), gel-only group (Group 3), and intact group (Group 4). Biomechanical testing, histological analysis (H and E and immunohistochemical staining), and scoring were performed. On gross observation, the treatment group showed a continuous ACL with slightly thickened synovium or a partially healed ACL at a 6-week follow up. In the biomechanical testing at 6 weeks after surgery, the failure load of the treatment group was significantly superior when compared with the lesion control group (52.7 ​± ​10.8N vs. 41.6 ​± ​7.8N, p ​< ​0.01), but the fail...

Source: Journal of Orthopaedic Translation - January 24, 2020 Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research