The Effect of Temperature-sensitive Hydrogel Platelet-richplasma Complex on the Healing of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Partial Tear in a Rat Model / 中国运动医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the effect of the temperature-sensitive hydrogel and platelet-rich plasma(PRP)complex on the healing of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)partial tear in a rat model.Method PRP was processed according to an established method and then mixed with poly(ethylene glycol)monomethyl ether and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(mPEG-PLGA).A total of 110 right knees of Sprague-Dawley male rats (12-week old)were included and randomly divided into a healthy control group (n=10),a lesion control group(n=60)and a study group(n=40).The saline and mPEG-PLGA-PRP complex was applied at the lesion site respectively.Samples were harvested 0,2 weeks and 6 weeks post-operatively and the histological and biomechanical changes were observed and compared among the 3 groups.Results Histologically,at 6 weeks after surgery,the torn ACL of the study group had been partially healed,with decreased number of inflammatory cells and new fibrous tissues and micro-vessels appearing.The ligament maturity index revealed a significantly higher score in the study group than the lesion control group(20.6 ± 4.9 vs.4.7 ± 1.0,P＜0.01).Biomechanically,at 6 weeks after surgery,the tensile strength of the study group was significantly higher than the contro] groups(52.7 ± 11.2 vs.30.3 ± 8.8,P＜0.05).Conclusion At six weeks after surgery,the mPEG-PLGA-PRP complex can enhance the healing of ACL partial tear,ahhough the ligament was not recovered to the norma] state.