Anti-inflammatory action of the Ovis aries lipidic fraction associated to therapeutic ultrasound in an experimental model of tendinitis in rats (Rattus norvegicus).

Background: Studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of topical application of fatty acids as healing agents. The lipid fraction of Ovis aries have an anti-inflammatory action that accelerates the healing process. Ultrasound increases blood flow and the extensibility of collagen structures and tendons.

Objectives: To assess the anti-inflammatory action of the Ovis aries lipid fraction associated to pulsed therapeutic ultrasound and friction in an induced tendinitis model.

Methods: Fifty Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control that consisted of Ovis aries gel for topical use; pulsed ultrasound plus oil free sterile lotion; pulsed ultrasound plus Ovis aries gel; and oil free sterile lotion for topical use alone. To induce tendinitis a 10 µL intratendinous injection of collagenase was injected into the right Achilles tendon of rats. Treatment consisted of daily applications of ultrasound using the following parameters: 10% pulsed mode, 10% pulsed frequency of 1 MHz and intensity of 0.5 W/cm² for seven or fourteen days.

Results: After 7 days of treatment, only the Ovis aries plus ultrasound group showed statistically significant difference when compared to the control group.The variation in the number of inflammatory cells on animals treated for fourteen days for the control, ultrasound plus oil free, ultrasound plus Ovis aries, Ovis aries plus massage and massage plus oil free groups were statistically significant different, p<0.01. It was observed in animals treated for seven days that the ultrasound plus Ovis aries group was statistically significant better than the control group, p<0.05.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that treatment using ultrasound plus Ovis aries is more effective than other treatments as it produces significantly better reduction on the number of inflammatory cells at 7 and 14 days.