Prognostic and predictive biomarkers of abdominal aortic aneurysm growth rate.

Objectives: To test the utility of clinical and circulating biomarkers to predict abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) growth rate and response to doxycycline therapy.

Methods: Plasma samples were obtained in the Pharmaceutical Aneurysm Stabilization Trial that tested the effect of doxycycline (n = 44) vs. placebo (n = 49) in patients with a 35-50 mm AAA.

Expression of chondro-osteogenic BMPs in ossified failed tendon healing model of tendinopathy.

Chondrocytes phenotype/markers were expressed in clinical samples of tendinopathy and calcifying tendinopathy. This study examined the spatial-temporal expression of chondro-osteogenic Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs), which might contribute to ectopic chondro-osteogenesis and failed healing process in tendinopathy. Collagenase was injected into patellar tendon of rats to induce ossified failed tendon healing.

Does erroneous differentiation of tendon-derived stem cells contribute to the pathogenesis of calcifying tendinopathy?

Calcifying tendinopathy is a tendon disorder with calcium deposits in the mid-substance presented with chronic activity-related pain, tenderness, local edema and various degrees of incapacitation. Most of current treatments are neither effective nor evidence-based because its underlying pathogenesis is poorly understood and treatment is usually symptomatic. Understanding the pathogenesis of calcifying tendinopathy is essential for its effective evidence-based management.

Mechanical loading increased BMP-2 expression which promoted osteogenic differentiation of tendon-derived stem cells.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of repetitive tensile loading on the expression of BMP-2 and the effect of BMP-2 on the osteogenic differentiation of tendon-derived stem cells (TDSCs) in vitro. Repetitive stretching was applied to TDSCs isolated from rat patellar tendon at 0%, 4%, and 8%, 0.5 Hz.

Radix Dipsaci does not improve tendon healing in a rat model of patellar tendon donor site injury.

Objective: To explore whether Radix Dipsaci (RD) exhibits beneficial effects on tendon healing.

Methods: An attempt was made to explore the in vitro effects of a hot water extract of RD on gene expression of procollagen Type I (COL1A1), procollagen Type III (COL3A1) and decorin in cultured tendon fibroblasts, and its in vivo effects in a well-established rat model of patellar tendon donor site injury.

Results: It was found that gene expression of COL3A1 and decorin in cultured tendon fibroblasts was significantly increased by RD, but that COL1A1 was not affected.

In vivo low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) following tendon injury promotes repair during granulation but suppresses decorin and biglycan expression during remodeling.

Study Design: Bench research, cross-sectional.

Objective: To determine if the effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on matrix synthesis change at different stages of tendon healing.

Background: LIPUS is effective in promoting tendon healing by stimulation of matrix synthesis.

Expression of sensory neuropeptides in tendon is associated with failed healing and activity-related tendon pain in collagenase-induced tendon injury.

Background: Increase in expression of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has been reported in clinical samples of tendinopathy.

Purpose: To examine the spatial-temporal expression of these neuropeptides as well as their association with activity-related tendon pain, matrix degeneration, failed healing, and pathologic calcification in an established collagenase-induced tendon injury rat model.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.

Sustained expression of proteoglycans and collagen type III/type I ratio in a calcified tendinopathy model.

Objectives: Alteration in the composition of extracellular matrix has been suggested as the major factor for the development of tendinopathy and calcified tendinopathy, which has poorer clinical manifestation. This study investigated the changes of major proteoglycans and collagens in a calcified tendinopathy model and correlated the expression with the acquisition of chondrocyte phenotype, ectopic ossification and loss of matrix organization in the same model.

Methods: Thirty-six rats were used.

Expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 in the chondrogenic and ossifying sites of calcific tendinopathy and traumatic tendon injury rat models.

Background: Ectopic chondrogenesis and ossification were observed in a degenerative collagenase-induced calcific tendinopathy model and to a lesser extent, in a patellar tendon traumatic injury model. We hypothesized that expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) contributed to ectopic chondrogenesis and ossification. This study aimed to study the spatial and temporal expression of BMP-2 in our animal models.

The use of motion analysis to measure pain-related behaviour in a rat model of degenerative tendon injuries.

Chronic tendinopathy is characterized with longstanding activity-related pain with degenerative tendon injuries. An objective tool to measure painful responses in animal models is essential for the development of effective treatment for tendinopathy. Gait analysis has been developed to monitor the inflammatory pain in small animals.

Chondrocyte phenotype and ectopic ossification in collagenase-induced tendon degeneration.

We report chondrocyte phenotype and ectopic ossification in a collagenase-induced patellar tendon injury model. Collagenase or saline was injected intratendinously in one limb. The patella tendon was harvested for assessment at different times.