The role of chitosan in tissue healing after primary repair of quadriceps tendon ruptures: Experimental animal model.

AIM: To expedite the healing of tendons by introducing chitosan to the repaired tendon site.

METHODS

Thirty-six adult, male Wistar Albino rats (300-450 g) were randomly divided into three groups. A full-thickness quadriceps injury model was created in the right hind leg of all animals. The first group did not undergo any intervention (control group). In the second group, primary repair was performed following injury (primary suturing (PS) group). In the third group, primary repair was performed, and 50 mg chitosan was administered via injection at the repair site (PS+Chitosan group). Tail venous blood samples were collected from all rats on days 0, 3, 7 and 14. On days 14 and 28, four subjects from each group were sacrificed for histopathologic evaluation. On day 28, four subjects from each group were sacrificed for biomechanical investigation.

RESULTS

The mean total value of the PS+Chitosan group on day 28 was lower than the mean total value of the control group on days 14 and 28 (P = 0.004). The mean IL-1β value on day 14 was higher in the PS group compared with the other groups (P < 0.001). The mean TGF-β value on day 14 was lower in the PS+Chitosan group compared with the other groups (P < 0.001). The average maximal tensile resistance in the monitor group was 1.51 N/mm2. Although statistically significant results were not found, the PS+Chitosan group exhibited biomechanical values that were most similar to those of the intact tendon, while the control group displayed the most divergent results.

CONCLUSION

Chitosan application accelerates tendon healing after repair in quadriceps tendon injuries in our rat model. Chitosan affects different pathways and enhances tendon healing as observed in our study.