Effect of taurine on rat Achilles tendon healing

Connect Tissue Res. 2015;56(4):300-6. doi: 10.3109/03008207.2015.1026437. Epub 2015 Apr 24.

Abstract

Taurine has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics. We have introduced taurine into a tendon-healing model to evaluate its effects on tendon healing and adhesion formation. Two groups of 16 rats underwent diversion and repair of the Achilles tendon. One group received a taurine injection (200 mg/ml) at the repair site, while the other group received 1 ml of saline. Specimens were harvested at 6 weeks and underwent biomechanical and histological evaluation. No tendon ruptured. Average maximum load was significantly greater in the taurine-applied group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Similarly, average energy uptake was significantly higher in the taurine-applied group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). We observed no significant differences in stiffness in both groups (p > 0.05). After histological assessment, we found that fibroblast proliferation, edema, and inflammation statistically decreased in the treatment group (p < 0.05). These findings could indicate greater tendon strength with less adhesion formation, and taurine may have an effect on adhesion formation.

Keywords: Antiadhesion; fibrosis; rats; taurine; tendon healing.

MeSH terms

  • Achilles Tendon / injuries
  • Achilles Tendon / metabolism*
  • Achilles Tendon / pathology
  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Fibroblasts / pathology
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Taurine / pharmacology*
  • Tendon Injuries / metabolism*
  • Tendon Injuries / pathology
  • Wound Healing / drug effects*

Substances

  • Taurine