Effect of autologous adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells on neovascularization of artificial equine tendon lesions.

Aims: To investigate whether autologous adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs) treatment of tendon lesions increases neovascularization during tendon healing.

Materials & Methods: A standardized surgical model was used to create lesions in both front limb superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFTs) of nine horses. Either AT-MSCs or control substance was injected intralesionally 2 weeks post-surgery.

Tendon response to pharmaco-mechanical stimulation of the chronically retracted rotator cuff in sheep.

Purpose: Chronic tearing of tendons is associated with molecular and structural alterations causing biomechanical changes, which compromise musculotendinous function and become limiting factors for tendon repair. This study investigated the histological response of chronically retracted sheep rotator cuff tendons to mechanical and pharmacological stimulation in view of tendon repair.

Methods: Sixteen weeks after experimental release of the infraspinatus tendon in 20 sheep, the retracted musculotendinous unit was subjected to continuous traction either with [anabolic steroids (nandrolone) group/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) group] or without (control group) additional pharmacological treatment during 6 weeks.