Effects of bone morphogenetic protein-7 and low-molecular-weight peptide solution on healing in a rotator cuff tear model: a histopathologic and biomechanical study in rats
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, cilt.35, sa.10, ss.2506-2519, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 35 Sayı: 10
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.jse.2026.04.003
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.2506-2519
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Rotator cuff, shoulder, retear, biomechanics, histology, rat
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: Rotator cuff tears are the most prevalent shoulder pathology requiring surgery, yet high retear rates necessitate additional biological adjuncts. This study evaluated the effects of bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) and low-molecular-weight peptide solution (LMWPS) on early tendon-to-bone healing. We hypothesized that these 2 agents with different mechanisms of action would histopathologically and biomechanically enhance early rotator cuff repair. Methods: Acute rotator cuff repairs were performed bilaterally on 24 Wistar albino rats divided into 3 groups: control, LMWPS (5 μL at 1 μg/μL), and BMP-7 (200 μL at 2.5 ng/μL) groups. At 4 weeks postoperation, the right shoulders underwent biomechanical testing (maximum load, maximum stress, stiffness, and Young modulus), whereas the left shoulders were evaluated histopathologically using the Tendon Healing Scoring System. Results: The BMP-7 group achieved significantly superior biomechanical and histopathologic outcomes compared with the LMWPS and control groups. Biomechanically, stiffness and Young modulus were significantly higher in the BMP-7 group than in the LMWPS group (P = .013 vs. P = .011). Histopathologically, both LMWPS and BMP-7 treatment resulted in a significantly higher tenocyte-like cell ratio (P = .008 vs. P < .001) and more organized parallel fiber alignment (P < .001) than in the control group. Although the LMWPS group showed significantly increased vascularity compared with the control and the BMP-7 groups (P = .006 vs. P = .008), it demonstrated the lowest stiffness among the groups (P = .022 vs. P = .013). Conclusion: BMP-7 application significantly enhances the quality of tendon-to-bone healing by promoting structural maturation and functional stability. Although LMWPS increases biological activity, it does not achieve the mechanical maturity provided by BMP-7 at 4 weeks.