Summary

The annimal study showed the mechanism of promotion Effect of Panax-notoginseng-saponins on tendon-bone healing

Abstract

Purpose

The study investigated the effect of Panax-notoginseng-saponins (PNS) on tendon healing in bone tunnel and its immune-histological mechanism.

Methods

The experiment was performed in the animal laboratory, Wangjing hospital from February to December 2010. All the experiment procedures were accorded with the animal ethical requirements. Forty-five New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into blank control group, PNS group and VEGF group with 15 animals in each group. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with Toe extensor tendon was done in knee joints of rabbits by suspend fixation model. PNS was injected in bone tunnel of rabbits in PNS group, and nothing was given to blank group, while 1 ug of VEGF was injected in bone tunnel of rabbits in VEGF group. Specimens were collected at 2, 4 and 6 weeks after surgery. Sections were stained with HE stain and immune-histology to observe the changes of interface tissue between bone tunnel and tendon graft.

Results

All operation were completed without death and joint infection. For three groups at 2 weeks, tendon bone interface was full of disorderly fibrous tissue, blood vessel growth in VEGF group is most obvious, then the PNS group. At 4 weeks, tendon bone interface was full of fiber connection. Fiber hyperplasia of PNS group was most obvious. At 6 weeks, tendon bone gap was filled with fiber connection and new bone can be seen. PNS group similar fiber connection with VEGF group. CD34 immune-histological stain showed vascular proliferation in PNS group was similar to VEGF group. Masson staining showed bone formation and fiber formation in PNS group were more active than the other two groups.

Conclusion

PNS can enhance tendon-bone healing in bone tunnel, and promote the connection between tendon and bone. The possible mechanism is to promote the blood supply recovery. But the study lacks quantitative analysis.