Age-related changes in the cellular, mechanical, and contractile properties of rat tail tendons

Tendon laxity following injury, cyclic creep, or repair has been shown to alter the normal homeostasis of tendon cells, which can lead to degenerative changes in the extracellular matrix. While tendon cells have been shown to have an inherent contractile mechanism that gives them some ability to retighten lax tendons and reestablish a homeostatic cellular environment, the effect of age on this process is unknown. To determine the effect of aging on cell number, cell shape, and tensile modulus on tendons as well as the rate of cell-mediated contraction of lax tendons, tail tendon fascicles from 1-, 3-, and 12-month-old rats were analyzed. Aging results in a decrease (p < 0.001) in cell number per mm(2): 1 m (981 ± 119), 3 m (570 ± 108), and 12 m (453 ± 23), a more flattened (p < 0.001) cell nuclei shape and a higher (p < 0.001) tensile modulus (MPa) of the tendons: 1 m (291 ± 2), 3 m (527 ± 38), and 12 m (640 ± 102). Both the extent and rate of contraction over 7 days decreased with age (p = 0.007). This decrease in contraction rate with age correlates to the observed changes seen in aging tendons [increased modulus (r(2) = 0.95), decreased cell number (r(2) = 0.89)]. The ability of tendons to regain normal tension following injury or exercise-induced laxity is a key factor in the recovery of tendon function. The decreased contraction rate as a function of age observed in the current study may limit the ability of tendon cells to retighten lax tendons in older individuals. This, in turn, may place these structures at further risk for injury or altered function.