A collagenase gel/physical defect model for controlled induction of superficial digital flexor tendonitis.
Abstract: A consistent and clinically relevant model for the induction of core lesions confined to the mid-metacarpal superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) has not been previously reported. Injection of bacterial collagenase is commonly used but often results in large, irregular and inconsistent lesions that disrupt the superficial tendon layers and epitenon. Objective: To develop and evaluate a new injection technique for collagenase induction of SDFT injury. Methods: Collagenase gel was injected into a physical columnar defect created by longitudinally placing a curved 16 gauge 8.89 cm needle in the mid-metacarpal SDFT in a randomly selected forelimb of 10 horses. A placebo treatment injection was performed 1 week later. Serial ultrasound examinations were performed. Horses were subjected to euthanasia at 2 (n = 2), 4 (n = 2), 8 (n = 4) and 16 (n = 2) weeks post treatment injection. Post mortem magnetic resonance imaging and histological analysis were performed. Gene expression (18S, SCX, TNC, TNMD, COL1A1, COL3A1, COMP, DCN, MMP1, MMP3 and MMP13), total DNA, glycosaminoglycan and collagen content were determined for experimental tendons (n = 10) and unaffected tendons (n = 9). Results: Mid-metacarpal SDFT core lesion induction was successful in all tendons with consistent lesion cross-sectional area and minimal epitenon disruption. Histology confirmed loss of normal tendon architecture after tendonitis induction and subsequent healing of the tendon core lesion. Compared with gene expression in unaffected tendons, several tested genes were significantly upregulated (COL1A1, COL3A1, TNMD, SCX, TNC, MMP13), while others showed significant downregulation (COMP, DCN, and MMP3). Conclusions: Compared with the previously used direct injection of collagenase, this injection technique was easily performed and induced more consistent lesions that were mid-metacarpal and did not disrupt the epitenon. Conclusions: This model will allow for objective assessment of therapies for tendon regeneration in the mid-metacarpal SDFT prior to clinical trials and routine clinical application.
© 2011 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2011-09-25 PubMed ID: 21950378DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00471.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research explores a new technique to consistently induce core lesions in the mid-metacarpal superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) of horses, using a gel made of bacterial collagenase. It provides more controlled tendon injuries compared to previous methods, enabling better examination of treatment effectiveness for tendon regeneration.
Understanding the Research Context
- There was no clinically relevant model to consistently induce lesions in horse’s mid-metacarpal SDFT, which is important to studying tendon injuries and their treatment.
- Previous models used direct injection of bacterial collagenase, leading to large, varied, and inconsistent lesions. These can also disrupt the tendon’s superficial layers and outer covering (epitenon), making results difficult to analyze or apply more broadly.
Research Methodology
- The researchers injected collagenase gel into a column-shaped defect in the SDFT, constructed by positioning a curved needle longitudinally in the tendon. This was done on a randomly selected forelimb in 10 horses.
- A placebo injection was performed on the other forelimb one week later. Serial ultrasound examinations were carried out to monitor the progress of the lesions.
- To examine lesions at various stages, the horses were euthanized at 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks post-treatment and post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging and histological analysis were carried out.
- The expression of certain genes, total DNA, glycosaminoglycan, and collagen content were determined for both the experimental and unaffected tendons.
Key Findings
- The research methodology successfully induced mid-metacarpal SDFT core lesions in all tendons with consistent size and minimal disturbance to the epitenon.
- Post-mortem analysis confirmed that the normal tendon architecture was lost after induction and that the tendon core lesion healed subsequently.
- Compared to unaffected tendons, a significant upregulation was noticed in several genes (COL1A1, COL3A1, TNMD, SCX, TNC, MMP13), while a significant downregulation was noticed in others (COMP, DCN, MMP3).
Conclusion and Implications
- The newly-introduced injection technique forms more consistent lesions that are confined to the mid-metacarpal and do not damage the epitenon, unlike previous models.
- With this more controlled tendon injury model, researchers can objectively assess potential treatments for tendon regeneration in the mid-metacarpal SDFT prior to testing them in clinical trials or routine clinical applications.
Cite This Article
APA
Watts AE, Nixon AJ, Yeager AE, Mohammed HO.
(2011).
A collagenase gel/physical defect model for controlled induction of superficial digital flexor tendonitis.
Equine Vet J, 44(5), 576-586.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00471.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Collagenases / administration & dosage
- Collagenases / toxicity
- Female
- Forelimb
- Gels
- Horse Diseases / chemically induced
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses / injuries
- Male
- RNA
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Tendinopathy / chemically induced
- Tendinopathy / veterinary
- Tendons / drug effects
- Tendons / pathology
- Time Factors
Citations
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