Bone-tendon healing enhancement using injectable gelatin-sodium alginate-calcium citrate in rabbits

AN Tao; CHEN Qing-yu; LI Su; ZHOU Ying-yong; ZHAO Zhi-rong; PENG Lei

Abstract：Objective To develop a new kind of injectable composite material-alginate-gelatin-calcium cit-rate to enhance bone-tendon healing and investigate the enhancement of tendon to bone by using the osteoinductive biomaterial in appropriate animal models. Methods Forty-eight adult Japanese white rabbits were selected and randomly divided into 6 groups.All animals received the long digital extensor tendon modeling on both sides.On the experimental (the right) side,injectable alginate-gelatin-calcium citrate was injected.On the control (the left) side,equal amount of alginate-gelatin liquid was injected.Materials were drawn 2,4,6,8,10 and 12 weeks respec-tively from the six groups and the histopathologic changes were observed by staining.The amount of new bone for-mation over the grafted tendon was measured by Imagepro-Plus 8.0 and biomechanical tests were conducted.All ex-perimental data were analyzed with SSPS16.0.Results Histologic observation showed that the Sharpey fiber,fibro-cartilage and calcified cartilage appeared earlier on the experimental side than on the control side.The bone-tendon gap on the experimental side reduced significantly.The area of new bone around the grafted tendon in the Calcium Citrate group at 2,4,6,8,10 and 12 weeks had significant difference.Mechanical examination showed that within 6 weeks after surgery,the pullout strength was higher on the experimental side than on the control side.Conclusion Injectable alginate-gelatin-calcium citrate can significantly enhance tendon-bone healing in early stage.