Effect of Poloxamer 407 as a carrier vehicle on rotator cuff healing in a rat model

Abstract

BackgroundIn vivo studies showing the effects of biologic healing-promoting factors on tendon-to-bone healing after rotator cuff repair have focused only on biologic healing-promoting factors and have not taken into consideration the effect of the carrier vehicle. Moreover, most studies have evaluated the healing process using different carrier vehicles, each of which may have specific effects on tendon healing. This may explain the large variability seen in outcomes in research studies. In this study, we investigated the effects of Poloxamer 407 as a carrier vehicle on rotator cuff healing at the repair site and compared it with those of a collagen sponge, which is a commonly used carrier vehicle.MethodsFifty-seven adult male Sprague–Dawley rats underwent detachment and immediate repair of the bilateral supraspinatus tendons. Rats were randomly assigned to three groups: repair only, repair with collagen sponge, and repair with Poloxamer 407. The repairs were evaluated at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery with histological analysis and biomechanical testing.ResultsAt 4 weeks, more cellular organization, a greater number of collagen fibers, and increased maturity of collagen fibers were observed in the repair with Poloxamer 407 group than in the other groups. The repair with collagen sponge group had delayed development and collagen fiber maturation. Significant differences in the biomechanical properties were found between groups at 4 weeks. Stiffness in the case of the repair with Poloxamer 407 group was significantly higher than that in the repair with collagen sponge group. The modulus was significantly lower in the repair with collagen sponge group than in the repair only group. However, the use of Poloxamer 407 versus the collagen sponge did not significantly affect the biomechanical properties of the repaired tendons at 8 weeks.ConclusionsCarrier vehicles may have differing effects at the early stages of rotator cuff healing. The use of Poloxamer 407 as a carrier vehicle may be useful for promoting the early stages of healing and for maintaining the initial biomechanical properties of the repaired rotator cuff tendon.

Animal models for rotator cuff repair

“…The majority of the studies that have used the rat as a model have focused on the biologic aspect of RC healing. Rat RC models have been used extensively to examine the effect of aging on tendon‐to‐bone healing, the application of mesenchymal stem cells transduced with adenoviral‐mediated scleraxis for potentially improving regeneration of the tendon–bone insertion site, the effects of cells from the tendon–bone interface as a method to amplify surgical defect healing, the influence of growth factors such as rhPDGF, and the effects of carrier vehicles . In a preliminary study, antibiotic treatment with fluoroquinolone was shown to negatively influence tendon healing in a rat model …”

Pharmacokinetics and toxicity of subcutaneous administration of carboplatin in poloxamer 407 in a rodent model pilot study

“…It might show similar properties for subcutaneously administered chemotherapeutics. Prior studies have shown that poloxamer 407 by itself does not have adverse tissue effects in rats [ 7 – 9 ], and that poloxamer 407 will release 99% of the carboplatin as opposed to other carriers [ 10 ].…”

Enhancement of Rotator Cuff Tendon-bone Healing with Graphene Oxide/PRP Composite Scaffold in a Rabbit Model: A Histological and Biomechanical Study

“…Due to the functional halflife and rapid dispersal in vivo, various growth factors released from PRP induces more scar tissue formation on the TBI, thus not improving the mechanical properties of the regenerated tissue [7,26]. Therefore, controlled and sustained release is required [5]. Zhang [27] found that gelatin sponge as a scaffold to control bioactive factors' release may be useful, and gelatin sponge loading with PRP could prolong PRP's bioactivity time and promote the early TBH in a rabbit model.…”

“…Surgical repair of RCT is one of the most commonly performed procedures because of its positive outcomes. However, previous studies have reported high retear rates following RC repair, accounting for 26-94% [3][4][5]. The re-tear of RC repair negatively affects long-term clinical outcomes.…”

“…Facilitate the quality of TBH is the core of repair and functional rehabilitation [4]. Therefore, new biologic strategies that enhance the TBH response are subjects of interest in sports medicine [4][5][6][7].…”