Table 3.
Therapeutic studies.
| Study | Year | Investigated molecules | Type of study | Type of sperimentation | Role in healing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lu et al. | 2008 | VEGF | In vivo | Partial patellectomy on in vivo rabbit model. Healing stimulation through LIPUS vs. controls. VEGF expression measurement | VEGF expression resulted more increased in LIPUS group than controls |
| Liang et al. | 2012 | HIF-1α, VEGF, Bnip3, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL | in vitro | Hypoxia protocol on tenocytes cultures. Measurement of HIF-1α, VEGF mRNA and pro- and anti-apoptotic peptides | Insulin or PRP showed protective effects on cell death |
| Kaux et al. | 2014 | VEGF111 | In vivo | VEGF111 vs. saline injection in Achilles tendon after artificial lesion in murin model | Force for tendon rupture at 15 and 30 days was higher in VEGF111 group |
| Zhang et al. | 2003 | VEGF, TGF-β, PDGF, bFGF, IGF-1 | In vivo | Transection and suture repair of Achilles tendon in murin model. VEGF injection at repair site vs. saline injection. TGF-β levels measurement | Tensile strength was higher in tendons treated with VEGF than controls in low terms. TGF-β was increased in VEGF group. PDGF, bFGF, IGF-1 were comparable |
| Paoloni et al. | 2005 | GTN | In vivo | Local application of GTN patch for elbow extensors tendinopathy vs. controls. Measurement of pain, tenderness, peak force and total work | Exogenous NO administration improve healing of the tendons |
| Paoloni et al. | 2004 | GTN | In vivo | Rehabilitation plus local application of GTN patch for Achilles tendinopathy vs. controls. Measurement of pain, tenderness, peak force, and total work | Exogenous NO administration improve healing of the tendons |
| Steunebrink et al. | 2013 | GTN | In vivo | Eccentric exercise plus GTN patch application on patellar tendon vs. controls (exercise only) | Exogenous NO administration improve healing of the tendons |
| Murrell et al. | 2008 | NO-paracetamol | in vitro | in vitro administration of NO-paracetamol association to tendon cell culture | Improved collagen production and reorganization |
| Burssens et al. | 2005 | SP | In vivo | SP (different doses) administration to rats after Achilles tendon repair vs. tiorphan and captopril vs. controls. Microscopic evaluation of fibroblasts proliferation, angiogenesis and collagen organization | In tendons treated with SP, fibroblasts proliferation was increased at 7 days, but no at further f.u. Similar evolution for angiogenesis and collagen orientation |