“The Effect of Freeze-Dried Human Amnion Compared to Freeze-Dried Human Amnion Combined with Secretome on Tendon Healing in New Zealand Rabbits”

Abstract

Background: Tendon injuries have limited healing capacity due to their hypovascular nature, often resulting in reduced biomechanical strength and an increased risk of re-rupture. Tissue engineering approaches, such as the use of amnion and secretome, have been developed to enhance tendon healing.
Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of freeze-dried human amnion compared with a combination of freeze-dried human amnion and secretome on tendon healing in New Zealand rabbits.
Methods: An experimental study using a randomized post-test-only control group design was conducted on 18 male New Zealand rabbits. In the control group, tendon repair was performed using the modified 4-strand Kessler technique for the core suture and a continuous suture for the peripheral tendon, followed by wrapping with freeze-dried amnion. In the treatment group, topical secretome was additionally applied. Evaluation was performed after 3 weeks and included tensile strength, fibroblast count, and collagen density. Statistical analysis was performed using an independent t-test and Mann–Whitney test, with statistical significance defined as p < 0.05.
Results: The mean tensile strength was higher in the treatment group than in the control group (4.83 ± 2.13 vs. 4.59 ± 3.21; p = 0.849). The fibroblast count was also higher in the treatment group (126.38 ± 60.32 vs. 105.38 ± 53.53; p = 0.508). Histologically, collagen density appeared to be higher in the treatment group.
Conclusion: The combination of freeze-dried human amnion and secretome showed a tendency to improve tendon healing parameters, although the differences were not statistically significant.