Objective To explore the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in treatment of Achilles tendinopathy in rabbits, and provide experimental evidence for the clinical application of PRP in treatment of Achilles tendinopathy. Methods Forty-eight adult New Zealand white rabbits, weighing 2.5-3.0 kg, male or female, were randomly divided into model group (group A), model control group (group B), model+treatment control group (group C), model+treatment group (group D), with 12 in each group. The rabbits were injected with type Ⅰ collagenase to prepare Achilles tendinopathy models in groups A, C, and D, and with an equal dose of normal saline in group B. The blood from the central artery of rabbit ear was taken to preprare PRP by secondary centrifugation in group D. The results of platelet counts showed that PRP platelets reached 3 to 5 times the whole blood. After the model was prepared, the rabbits in groups C and D were injected with physiological saline and autologous PRP at the molding site respectively, once a week, 0.8 mL each time for 4 weeks. At 1 week after PRP injection, the relative hardness (expressed as HRD%) of Achilles tendon was evaluated by ultrasound elastic quantitative imaging detection technique; the maximum breaking load of Achilles tendon was measured by universal electronic tensile testing machine; the contents of collagen type Ⅰ and Ⅲ were determined by ELISA; and the morphology of Achilles tendon collagen fibers was observed by HE and Masson stainings. Results All animals survived during the experiment. The results of ultrasound elastic quantitative imaging and mechanical tests showed that the HRD% and the maximum breaking load were significantly lower in group A than in group B (P<0.05) and in group C than in group D (P<0.05). The results of ELISA showed that the content of collagen type Ⅰ was significantly lower in group A than in group B (P<0.05) and in group C than in group D (P<0.05); the content of collagen type Ⅲ was significantly higher in group A than in group B (P<0.05) and in group D than in group C (P<0.05). HE and Masson stainings showed that the Achilles tendon collagen fibers were irregularly curled and the structure was severely damaged in group A; the fibers were parallel and ordered, and the structure was complete in group B; the fibers were irregularly curled and structurally disordered in group C; the fibers were slightly curled and the structure was relatively complete in group D. Conclusion A rabbit model of Achilles tendinopathy can be reconstructed by type Ⅰ collagenase injection. PRP treatment can increase the Achilles tendon hardness and maximum breaking load, up-regulate the expression level of collagen type Ⅰ and Ⅲ, improve the structure of Achilles tendon collagen fiber, and promote the repair in rabbit Achilles tendinopathy model.
ObjectiveTo detect the differentially expressed circular RNA (circRNA) in rotator cuff tendinopathy and analyze the potential molecular mechanism of these parental genes.MethodsTen supraspinatus tendons donated from patients who underwent tendon repair surgery between June 2018 and June 2019 were used for RNA-sequence. All rotator cuff tendinopathy and normal tendon samples were confirmed by MRI, histological staining, and observation by arthroscopy. All pathological tendons were matched with tendon samples for patients’ age, gender, body mass index, and Bonar score. The bioinformatic analysis was performed based on the differentially expressed circRNA and their parental genes, including gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network construction.ResultsThere were 94 differentially expressed circRNAs, including 31 up-regulated and 63 down-regulated, detected between the rotator cuff tendinopathy and normal tendon samples with |log2 fold change (FC)| >2, P<0.05. GO analysis showed that the genes were mostly enriched in response to cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). KEGG pathway analysis showed that the most genes were enriched in extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, protein digestion and absorption, cell cycle, and nuclear factor κB signaling pathway. ceRNA networks showed the interactions among circRNAs, mRNAs, and miRNAs. And circRNA.8951-has-miR-6089-DNMT3B was the most sum max energy.ConclusionThis bioinformatic study reveals several potential therapeutic targets for rotator cuff tendinopathy, which paves the way to better treatment and prevention of this disorder.
ObjectiveTo explore the classification, diagnosis, and clinical treatment of Achilles tendinopathy.MethodsThe literature about Achilles tendinopathy at home and abroad was reviewed. The research results of classification and terms, imaging diagnosis, and clinical treatment of Achilles tendinopathy were summarized.ResultsThe classification and name of Achilles tendinopathy are not completely unified, and the concept is vague, the cause of disease is not clear. There are many treatment plans, but there is no effective evidence-based medicine research.ConclusionThe diagnosis and treatment of Achilles tendinopathy is complicated. According to the characteristics of Achilles tendon anatomy and etiology, the classification and definition of Achilles tendinopathy need to be further studied in order to guide clinical treatment more effectively and facilitate experience exchange and learning.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of arthroscopic intertubercular groove and open subpectoral tenodesis in treatment of long head of biceps tendon (LHBT) tendinopathy.MethodsA clinical data of 80 patients with LHBT tendinopathy who were admitted between June 2013 and May 2017 and met the selection criteria was retrospectively analyzed. After cutting LHBT under arthroscopy, the arthroscopic intertubercular groove tenodesis was performed in 40 cases (group A) and open subpectoral tenodesis was performed in 40 cases (group B). There was no significant difference in the gender, age, side of the affected shoulder joint, disease duration, and preoperative pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Constant score, American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (ASES) score, Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, LHBT score (LHBS) between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time and the scores of shoulder joint pain and function at 12 months after operation were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe operation time was (3.6±2.5) minutes in group A and (8.5±2.3) minutes in group B, showing a significant difference (t=18.584, P=0.000). The incisions of the two groups healed by first intention, and there was no complication such as infection or thrombosis. All patients were followed up. The follow-up time was 24-30 months (mean, 26.0 months) in group A and 24-31 months (mean, 26.0 months) in group B. Both Speed test and Yergason test were negative at 3 months after operation. MRI showed that there was no obvious effusion around the LHTB and no dislocation of LHTB. At 12 months after operation, the VAS score, Constant score, ASES score, DASH score, and LHBS score of the two groups all improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the differences before and after operation between the two groups (P>0.05). No Popeye sign appeared during the follow-up.ConclusionThe arthroscopic intertubercular groove and open subpectoral tenodesis can effectively relieve shoulder pain and improve function, but the former has shorter operation time and less trauma.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in the treatment of rotator cuff tendinopathy to provide evidence for clinical practice. MethodsDatabases including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMbase, CINAHL plus, PEDro, CNKI, CBM, WanFang Data, and VIP were searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of ESWT in the treatment of rotator cuff tendinopathy from inception to January 11th, 2021. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed using RevMan 5.4 software. ResultsA total of 12 RCTs from 11 articles were included, including 529 subjects (273 in the case group and 256 in the control group). Meta-analysis showed that no significant difference between ESWT and placebo in pain improvement (SMD=−1.08, 95% CI −2.45 to 0.29, P=0.12), superior pain improvement in ESWT group than electroacupuncture group (SMD=−7.15, 95%CI −8.50 to −5.80, P<0.000 01), and no significant difference in pain improvement between ESWT as adjuvant therapy and acupuncture alone (SMD=−4.32, 95%CI −11.93 to 3.29, P=0.27). Regarding the Constant–Murley score (CMS) for shoulder joint function, ESWT was associated with an improved CMS compared with placebo (SMD=1.31, 95%CI 0.08 to 2.53, P=0.04). There was no significant difference in the improvement in the CMS between ESWT and other treatments (SMD=0.13, 95%CI −2.07 to 2.53, P=0.91). There was no significant difference in the improvement in the CMS between ESWT as adjuvant therapy and acupuncture alone (SMD=1.68, 95%CI −0.69 to 4.05, P=0.16). ConclusionsESWT may improve shoulder joint function in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy, and the alleviation of pain in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy requires further investigation. Due to the limited quality and quantity of included studies, the above conclusions requires further investigation by more high-quality studies.