1. Improved tendon radioprotection by combined cross-linking and free radical scavenging.
- Author
-
Seto A, Gatt CJ Jr, and Dunn MG
- Subjects
- Animals, Ascorbic Acid pharmacology, Biomechanical Phenomena, Disease Models, Animal, Mannitol pharmacology, Materials Testing, Rabbits, Radiation Dosage, Radiation Injuries prevention & control, Random Allocation, Reference Values, Riboflavin pharmacology, Sensitivity and Specificity, Tendon Transfer adverse effects, Tendon Transfer methods, Tensile Strength, Tissue and Organ Harvesting methods, Transplantation, Homologous, Achilles Tendon drug effects, Achilles Tendon radiation effects, Cross-Linking Reagents pharmacology, Free Radical Scavengers pharmacology
- Abstract
Allograft safety is a great concern owing to the risk of disease transmission from nonsterile tissues. Radiation sterilization is not used routinely because of deleterious effects on the mechanical integrity and stability of allograft collagen. We previously reported several individual cross-linking or free radical scavenging treatments provided some radioprotective effects for tendons. We therefore asked whether a combination of treatments would provide an improved protective effect after radiation exposure regarding mechanical properties and enzyme resistance. To address this question we treated 90 rabbit Achilles tendons with a combination of cross-linking (1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethyl aminopropyl] carbodiimide [EDC]) and one of three scavenging regimens (mannitol, ascorbate, or riboflavin). Tendons then were exposed to one of three radiation conditions (gamma or electron beam irradiation at 50 kGy or unsterilized). Combination-treated tendons (10 per group) had increases in mechanical properties and higher resistance to collagenase digestion compared with EDC-only and untreated tendons. Irradiated tendons treated with EDC-mannitol, -ascorbate, and -riboflavin combinations had comparable strength to native tendon and had averages of 26%, 39%, and 37% greater, respectively, than those treated with EDC-only. Optimization of a cross-linking protocol and free radical scavenging cocktail is ongoing with the goal of ensuring sterile allografts through irradiation while maintaining their structure and mechanical properties.
- Published
- 2009
- Full Text
- View/download PDF