Accelerated Achilles tendon healing with interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein in rabbits

Abstract

The current study describes the use of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IL-1Ra) as a possible strategy for optimizing tendon healing and repair by presenting histologically visible changes in rabbit Achilles tendon tissue after longitudinal tenotomy. The study was carried out on 26 Californian rabbits divided into two equal groups. One was the experimental IRAP (interleukin-1 receptor antagonist) group and the second one was the PBS (purified buffered saline) group. The PBS group was the control group. After longitudinal tenotomy in both groups of rabbits, in the IRAP group IL-1Ra was applied locally, whereas PBS was applied in the control group. IL-1 concentration in Achilles tendon tissue was measured with an ELISA IL-1 rabbit kit. Local application of IL-1Ra resulted in 2.5-fold lower IL-1 tissue concentration and prevented cytokine cascade activation and its proinflammatory effects. Consequently, it prevented chronic tendon inflammation and improved Achilles tendon healing in rabbits. Histological changes in tendon tissue samples were evaluated by Bonar scale score with statistically significant differences between groups (P ≤ 0.01).