Improving Mechanical Properties of Tendon Allograft through Rehydration Strategies: An In Vitro Study

Bibliographic Details
Title: Improving Mechanical Properties of Tendon Allograft through Rehydration Strategies: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Chun Bi, Andrew R. Thoreson, Chunfeng Zhao
Source: Bioengineering, Vol 10, Iss 6, p 641 (2023)
Publisher Information: MDPI AG, 2023.
Publication Year: 2023
Collection: LCC:Technology
LCC:Biology (General)
Subject Terms: tendon, allograft, biomechanical properties, lyophilization, rehydrated solutions, Technology, Biology (General), QH301-705.5
More Details: Allogenic tendons grafts sourced from intrasynovial tendons are often used for tendon reconstruction. Processing is achieved through repetitive freeze–thaw cycles followed by lyophilization. Soaking the lyophilized tendon in saline (0.9%) for 24 h is the standard practice for rehydration. However, data supporting saline rehydration over the use of other hydrating solutions are scant. The purpose of the current study was to compare the effects of different rehydration solutions on biomechanical properties of lyophilized tendon allograft. A total of 36 canine flexor digitorum profundus tendons were collected, five freeze–thaw cycles followed by lyophilization were performed for processing, and then divided into three groups rehydrated with either saline solution (0.9%), phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), or minimum essential medium (MEM). Flexural stiffness, tensile stiffness, and gliding friction were evaluated before and after allograft processing. The flexural moduli in both fibrous and fibrocartilaginous regions of the tendons were measured. After lyophilization and reconstitution, the flexural moduli of both the fibrocartilaginous and non-fibrocartilaginous regions of the tendons increase significantly in the saline and MEM groups (p < 0.05). Compared to the saline and MEM groups, the flexural moduli of the fibrocartilaginous and non-fibrocartilaginous regions of tendons rehydrated with PBS are significantly lower (p < 0.05). Tensile moduli of rehydrated tendons are significantly lower than those of fresh tendons for all groups (p < 0.05). The gliding friction of rehydrated tendons is significantly higher than that of fresh tendons in all groups (p < 0.05). There is no significant difference in either tensile moduli or gliding friction between tendons treated with different rehydration solutions. These results demonstrate that allograft reconstitution can be optimized through careful selection of hydrating solution and that PBS could be a better choice as the impact on flexural properties is lower.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2306-5354
Relation: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/10/6/641; https://doaj.org/toc/2306-5354
DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10060641
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/f6f3195ac34b4a4d833469a631a31408
Accession Number: edsdoj.f6f3195ac34b4a4d833469a631a31408
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:23065354
DOI:10.3390/bioengineering10060641
Published in:Bioengineering
Language:English