In Vitro Collagenase Degradation of Grafts Used Clinically for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Human Tendon Data

Abstract Increasing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture rates are driving the need for new graft materials which undergo testing to characterize material properties and function. The in vitro collagenase assay is routinely used determine degradation rate of collagenous materials. At times, it screen biomaterials on basis that results reflect breakdown vivo. However, its predictive potential inconclusive with no guidelines acceptable degradation. Reference data from target tissue/s or existing clinical needed appropriate thresholds. From a summary reported protocols, most common bench conditions (bacterial collagenase; unloaded samples) were evaluate human tendons as ACL allografts: patellar, semitendinosus, gracilis, Achilles, tibialis posterior. Tendons sectioned equal volumes exposed 100 U 1, 2, 4 8 h. change dry weight was analysed using mixed linear regression. All tendon samples demonstrated significant reduction mass over time but patellar degraded significantly faster than all other ( P ≤ 0.004). As this study clinically accepted, provides range reference comparative assessment biomaterials. more rapid tendon, one successful materials, also highlights limitations predicting vivo performance, particularly absence suitable controls.