Nanofat Grafts Enhance Tendon Healing in a Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy Rat Model
Makaleler > Tam Makale · 2024
Yazarlar: Ahmet Bicer
Sports Traumatology and Arthroscopy, Uluslararası, 2024, ss 3-13
DOI: 10.14744/start.2024.73736
Özet
Objective: Chronic tendinopathy is a prevalent condition with long recovery times, often necessitating treatments beyond conventional methods like rest and stretching.This study aimed to evaluate the regenerative and anti-inflammatory effects of nanofat and microfat grafts in a collagenase-induced rat model of Achilles tendinopathy.Materials and Methods: Using collagenase injections, a chronic Achilles tendinopathy model was induced in 27 Wistar albino rats.The rats were randomly divided into three groups: Group 1 received microfat grafts, Group 2 received nanofat grafts, and Group 3 (control) received phosphatebuffered saline (PBS).Nanofat and microfat grafts were prepared from the inguinal fat pads of the rats.Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed 12 weeks after treatment.Results: The nanofat group exhibited significantly lower Modified Verhofstad scores compared to the control group, particularly for fibrosis, polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) infiltration, edema, collagen, and fibroblast density (p<0.016).Both the nanofat and microfat groups demonstrated significantly higher vascularity compared to the control group (p<0.016).The nanofat group showed significantly less PMNL infiltration, edema, and greater collagen density than the microfat group (p<0.016).Immunohistochemistry revealed the highest immunopositivity for type I and type III collagen in the nanofat group, while the control group showed the lowest levels.CD45 immunoreactivity was most diffuse in the control group and minimal in the nanofat group.Conclusion: Nanofat, enriched with mesenchymal stem cells and growth factors, significantly improved histopathological outcomes and reduced inflammation compared to microfat and control treatments in a chronic Achilles tendinopathy rat model.These findings suggest that nanofat grafts may offer a minimally invasive and effective treatment for chronic tendinopathy.