Ciprofloxacin reduces tenocyte viability and proteoglycan synthesis in short-term explant cultures of equine tendon

Fluoroquinolones are an effective, broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat array of bacterial infections. However, they associated with increased risk tendinopathy and tendon rupture even after discontinuation treatment. This condition is known as fluoroquinolone-associated tendinopathy, the underlying mechanisms which poorly understood. While many factors may be involved in pathophysiology tendinopathies general, changes tenocyte metabolism viability, well alteration proteoglycan prominent findings scientific literature. study investigated effects ciprofloxacin, a common fluoroquinolone, on cell synthesis, m RNA expression equine superficial digital flexor explants 96 h treatment between 1–300 µg/mL again 8 days Ciprofloxacin caused significant reductions viability by 25–33% at all dosages except 10 µg/mL, decreased further Proteoglycan synthesis significantly approximately 50% treated 100 300 however this effect reversed absence No were observed period exception versican was down-regulated highest concentration ciprofloxacin. After recovery period, aggrecan, biglycan genes downregulated initially 1–100 µg/mL. Results from corroborate previously reported reduced whole tissue explant model provide insight into rupture. demonstrates that certain ciprofloxacin induced cellular not rapidly upon cessation novel finding