Role of a combination dietary supplement containing mucopolysaccharides, vitamin C, and collagen on tendon healing in rats

• Published in: Acta orthopaedica et traumatologica turcica 2018-11, Vol.52 (6), p.452-458
• Main Authors: Gemalmaz, Halil Can, Sarıyılmaz, Kerim, Ozkunt, Okan, Gurgen, Seren Gulsen, Silay, Sena
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Collagen; Dietary supplement; Mucopolysaccharides; Research Paper; Tendon healing; Vitamin C
• ISSN: 1017-995X; 2589-1294
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aott.2018.06.012

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mucopolysaccharide, vitamin C, and collagen supplementation on the healing of Achilles tendon in rats. Sixteen rats were separated into 2 groups. Both Achilles tendons of all rats were transected 5 mm above the insertion and repaired using a Kessler suture. After the surgical repair, the study group received the daily recommended amount of the supplement by gastric gavage, while the control group received a placebo. At the end of the third week, the animals were sacrificed. The biomechanical properties of the groups were compared with ultimate tensile strength and stiffness tests. The biological properties of the 2 groups were assessed with a histomorphometric comparison to determine the amount of collagen type I (COL1), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) expression in 3 different tissue subgroups (collagen matrix, tenocytes, and endotenon fibroblasts). Analysis of histomorphometric results revealed that the rats receiving dietary supplements demonstrated a significant increase in PCNA (mean value of 86 in the control group and 168.85 in the trial group; p