Characteristics of Reconstituted Lyophilized Tendon Hydrogel: An Injectable Scaffold for Tendon Regeneration.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Background The authors have developed a tendon hydrogel that may be injected into the site of tendon injury to improve speed and strength of repair. The aim of this study was to compare the biological and physical properties of fresh, hydrated tendon hydrogel with its reconstituted lyophilized counterpart with the goal of increasing clinical feasibility. Materials Hydrogel was prepared from fresh human cadaveric flexor tendon. Fresh gel was compared to gel aliquots that were lyophilized and reconstituted with sterile deionized water. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the microarchitecture of gelated samples. Rat adipose-derived stem cells were seeded in hydrogel, and cell viability was assessed after 7 days. MTS colorimetric assay was used to evaluate both the effect of prolonged storage on gel and the ability of reconstituted lyophilized hydrogel to activate platelet-rich plasma. The viability and proliferation of luciferase-transfected adipose-derived stem cells embedded within hydrogel in vivo was assessed by a bioluminescence in vivo imaging system. Results Reconstituted lyophilized hydrogel demonstrated similar handling properties compared to fresh gel. Adipose-derived stem cells remained viable 7 days after reseeding in both conditions. Lyophilized hydrogel retained its ability to activate platelet-rich plasma and retained 95 percent of its maximal prolifer

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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