Downregulation of type I collagen expression in the Achilles tendon by dexamethasone: a controlled laboratory study

Abstract Background Spontaneous Achilles tendon rupture associated with long-term dexamethasone (Dex) use has been reported. However, few studies have investigated the potential mechanism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of oral Dex on type I collagen in humans and rats and its association with tendon rupture. Methods First, six Achilles tendons from patients who received long-term Dex treatment, and another six normal tendons were harvested for histological evaluation. Secondly, 8-week-old rats (n = 72) were randomly assigned to a Dex group or a control group. Type I collagen was studied at the mechanical, histological, and molecular levels after 3 and 5 weeks. Tenocytes isolated from normal human and rat tendon were used to investigate the effect of Dex on cellular scale. Results Histological analysis of human and rat tendon tissue revealed an irregular, disordered arrangement of type I collagen in the Dex group compared with the control group. In addition, In the Dex+ group, type I collagen expression decreased in comparison with the Dex− group in both human and rat tenocytes. The mechanical strength of tendons was significantly reduced in the Dex group (68.87 ± 11.07 N) in comparison with the control group (81.46 ± 7.62 N, P = 0.013) after 5 weeks. Tendons in the Dex group were shorter with smaller cross-sectional areas (10.71 ± 0.34 mm2, 1.44 ± 0.22 mm2, respectively) after 5 weeks than those in the control group (11.13 ± 0.50 mm2, P = 0.050, 2.74 ± 0.34 mm2, P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions This finding suggests long-term use of Dex that decreases the expression of type I collagen at molecular and tissue levels both in human and rat Achilles tendons. Furthermore, Dex decreases the mechanical strength of the tendon, thereby increasing the risk of Achilles tendon rupture..

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2020

Erschienen:

2020

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:15

Enthalten in:

Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research - 15(2020), 1, Seite 10

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Zilu Ge [VerfasserIn]
Hong Tang [VerfasserIn]
Wan Chen [VerfasserIn]
Yunjiao Wang [VerfasserIn]
Chengsong Yuan [VerfasserIn]
Xu Tao [VerfasserIn]
Binghua Zhou [VerfasserIn]
Kanglai Tang [VerfasserIn]

Links:

doi.org [kostenfrei]
doaj.org [kostenfrei]
link.springer.com [kostenfrei]
Journal toc [kostenfrei]

Themen:

Achilles tendon
Dexamethasone
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system
Human
Orthopedic surgery
Rats
Type I collagen

doi:

10.1186/s13018-020-01602-z

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

DOAJ025943251