Long-term study of the biochemistry and biomechanics of anterior cruciate ligament-patellar tendon autografts in goats

J Orthop Res. 1996 Nov;14(6):851-6. doi: 10.1002/jor.1100140602.

Abstract

This study examined the change in type-III collagen concentration and hydroxypyridinium crosslink density of anterior cruciate ligament-patellar tendon autografts and their correlations with Young's modulus of the anterior cruciate autografts and anterior cruciate controls for as long as 3 years after surgery. Fifteen adult female goats (two control and 13 experimental) were tested. Each experimental animal received an anterior cruciate ligament-patellar tendon autograft to the right knee. These animals were tested at 0 (n = 2), 6 (n = 2), 12 (n = 2), and 24 (n = 1) weeks and 1 (n = 3) and 3 (n = 3) years after surgery. After mechanical testing, the anterior cruciate autograft and control tissues were analysed for type-III collagen concentration and hydroxypyridinium crosslink density. The results of sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis showed a trend of initial increase in the percentage of type-III collagen in the anterior cruciate ligament autografts and a subsequent decrease after 24 weeks following surgery. There was a nonsignificant (p > 0.05) negative correlation between type-III collagen concentration and Young's modulus. The hydroxypyridinium crosslink density was highest at 1 year after surgery. There was a significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation between hydroxypyridinium crosslink density and Young's modulus in the anterior cruciate autografts and controls. This suggests that hydroxypyridinium crosslink density has a good linear relationship with the material strength of the anterior cruciate ligament autograft and hence could be used as an objective guide for rehabilitation with anterior cruciate autografts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament / metabolism
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament / physiopathology*
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament / surgery*
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Collagen / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Goats
  • Hydroxyproline / metabolism*
  • Patella*
  • Tendons / physiopathology*
  • Tendons / transplantation*
  • Time Factors
  • Transplantation, Autologous

Substances

  • Collagen
  • Hydroxyproline