BMP treatment for improving tendon repair. Studies on rat and rabbit Achilles tendons

Histologic and Biomechanical Evaluation of the Effects of Social Stress and the Antidepressant Fluoxetine on Tendon Healing in Rats

Impaired wound healing in humans under psychological stress and the positive effects of antidepressant drugs on wound healing were also shown in the literature. However, there are currently no studies regarding the effects of antidepressant drugs on tendon healing. The aim of this study was to compare tendon healing under normal conditions versus social stress. We also aimed to perform a histological and biomechanical analysis of the effects of the antidepressant drug fluoxetine on tendon healing. Sixty Sprague Dawley rats were divided into six groups. A social stress regimen was used to stress the rats. The use of fluoxetine in the social stress group yielded significantly better biomechanical results and the collagen organizations of the fluoxetine group were more similar to the normal tendon collagen organization. Fluoxetine seems to inhibit the negative effects of stress on tendon healing and seems to improve tendon healing.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE

Level 5.

A review on the use of cell therapy in the treatment of tendon disease and injuries

Tendon disease and injuries carry significant morbidity worldwide in both athletic and non-athletic populations. It is estimated that tendon injuries account for 30%−50% of all musculoskeletal injuries globally. Current treatments have been inadequate in providing an accelerated process of repair resulting in high relapse rates. Modern concepts in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have led to increasing interest in the application of cell therapy for the treatment of tendon disease. This review will explore the use of cell therapy, by bringing together up-to-date evidence from in vivo human and animal studies, and discuss the issues surrounding the safety and efficacy of its use in the treatment of tendon disease.