Data_Sheet_1_Is there a duration-characteristic relationship for trypsin exposure on tendon? A study on anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in a rabbit model.zip

BackgroundDecellularized allograft tendons are highly regarded for their accessibility and the reduced risk of immune rejection, making them a promising choice for grafting due to their favorable characteristics. However, effectively integrating reconstructed tendons with host bone remains a significant clinical challenge.
PurposeThis study aims to investigate the relationship between the duration of tendon exposure to trypsin and its impact on tendon biomechanical properties and healing capacity.
MethodsMorphological assessments and biochemical quantifications were conducted. Allograft tendons underwent heterotopic transplantation into the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a rabbit model, with specimens harvested 6 weeks post-surgery for a comparative analysis of cell adhesion strength and mechanical performance. Duration-response curves were constructed using maximum stress and cell adhesion quantity as primary indicators.
ResultsThe trypsin treatment enhanced cell adhesion on the tendon surface. Adhesion rates in the control group vs. the experimental groups were as follows: 3.10 ± 0.56% vs. 4.59 ± 1.51%, 5.36 ± 1.24%, 6.12 ± 1.98%, and 8.27 ± 2.34% (F = 6.755, p = 0.001). However, increasing treatment duration led to a decline in mechanical properties, with the ultimate load (N) in the control vs. experimental groups reported as 103.30 ± 10.51 vs. 99.59 ± 4.37, 93.15 ± 12.38, 90.42 ± 7.87, and 82.68 ± 6.89, F = 4.125 (p = 0.013).
ConclusionThe findings reveal an increasing trend in adhesion effectiveness with prolonged exposure duration, while mechanical strength declines. The selection of the optimal processing duration should involve careful consideration of the benefits derived from both outcomes.

背景：脱细胞异体肌腱（decellularized allograft tendons）因其取材便捷、免疫排斥风险低而广受认可，凭借其优良特性成为肌腱移植修复的极具潜力的备选材料。然而，实现重建肌腱与宿主骨的有效整合，仍是当前临床亟待攻克的重大难题。
目的：本研究旨在探究肌腱暴露于胰蛋白酶（trypsin）的时长，及其对肌腱生物力学特性与愈合能力的影响。
方法：本研究开展了形态学评估与生化定量分析。将异体肌腱异位移植至兔模型的前交叉韧带（anterior cruciate ligament, ACL）中，于术后6周采集标本，对细胞黏附强度与力学性能进行对比分析。以最大应力与细胞黏附数量作为核心指标，构建时长-响应曲线。
结果：胰蛋白酶处理可增强肌腱表面的细胞黏附能力。对照组与各实验组的黏附率分别为：3.10±0.56% 与 4.59±1.51%、5.36±1.24%、6.12±1.98%、8.27±2.34%（F=6.755，p=0.001）。然而，随着处理时长延长，肌腱力学性能出现下降：对照组与各实验组的极限载荷（单位：N）分别为103.30±10.51 与 99.59±4.37、93.15±12.38、90.42±7.87、82.68±6.89，F=4.125（p=0.013）。
结论：本研究结果显示，细胞黏附效能随暴露时长延长呈上升趋势，但力学强度却随之下降。在选择最优处理时长时，需审慎权衡二者带来的综合获益。