Local NO synthase inhibition produces histological and functional recovery in Achilles tendon of rats after tenotomy: tendon repair and local NOS inhibition

Cell Tissue Res. 2013 Sep;353(3):457-63. doi: 10.1007/s00441-013-1662-2. Epub 2013 Jul 10.

Abstract

Repair of injured tendon is a very slow process and involves the release of many molecules, including nitric oxide. We investigate the influence of local nitrergic inhibition in histological and functional recovery of injured Achilles tendon. A standard murine model of tendon injury by rupture was used. The animals were divided into three experimental groups: control, injury + vehicle (normal saline) and injury + Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). The products were injected into the paratendinous region every 2 days and body weight gain and Achilles functional index (AFI) were evaluated on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 after tendon injury. On day 21 post-injury, the animals were killed to evaluate nitric oxide production and tissue organization. We observed that tendon surgical division led to increased tissue nitrite levels, which were reduced in L-NAME-treated rats. The AFI revealed functional recovery of L-NAME-treated animals on day 21 post-injury, which was not observed in the saline-treated group. Microscopic analysis of hematoxylin-eosin staining and collagen autofluorescence showed that L-NAME-treated rats had more aligned areas of collagen fibers and that the diameter of newly organized collagen in this group was also greater than that in the vehicle-treated one. We demonstrate that local treatment with L-NAME significantly improves the functional parameters and accelerates histomorphological recovery.

MeSH terms

  • Achilles Tendon* / enzymology
  • Achilles Tendon* / injuries
  • Achilles Tendon* / pathology
  • Animals
  • Collagen / biosynthesis
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / pharmacology*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Recovery of Function / drug effects
  • Recovery of Function / physiology*
  • Tenotomy

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Collagen
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester