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Effects of flunixin meglumine on experimental tendon wound healing: A histopathological and mechanical study in
Mehdi Behfar1, Rahim Hobbenaghi2, Farshid Sarrafzadeh-Rezaei1
1Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran;
Abstract:
Tendons are frequently targets of injury in sports and work. Whether nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have beneficial effects on tendon healing is still a matter of debate. This study was conducted to evaluate effects of flunixin meglumine (FM) on tendon healing after experimentally induced acute trauma. Twenty eight adult male New Zealand White rabbits were subjected to complete transection of deep digital flexor tendons followed by suture placement. Treatment group received intramuscular injection of FM for three days, and controls received placebo. Subsequently, cast immobilization was continued for two weeks. Animals were sacrificed four weeks after surgery and tissue samples were taken. The histological evaluations revealed improved structural characteristics of neotendon formation including fibrillar linearity, fibrillar continuity and neovascularization in treatment group compared to those of controls (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found between two groups in terms of epitenon thickness (p > 0.05). Mechanical evaluation revealed significant increase in load-related material properties including ultimate load, yield load, energy absorption and ultimate stress in treatment group compared to those of control group (p < 0.05). However, no statistically significant differences in terms of stiffness and ultimate strain were found (p > 0.05). The present study showed that intramuscular injection of FM resulted in improved structural and mechanical properties of tendon repairs and it could be an effective treatment for acute tendon injuries like severance and laceration.
Insights
Flunixin meglumine (FM) enhanced tendon healing in rabbits after injury. This nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug improved structural and mechanical properties, suggesting it may aid recovery from acute tendon tears.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Veterinary Medicine
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Tendon injuries are common in sports and occupational activities.
- The efficacy of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in tendon healing remains debated.
- Flunixin meglumine (FM) is an NSAID used in veterinary medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of flunixin meglumine (FM) on tendon healing following experimentally induced acute trauma.
- To evaluate both histological and biomechanical outcomes of FM treatment in tendon repair.
Main Methods:
- Adult male New Zealand White rabbits underwent complete transection of deep digital flexor tendons.
- The treatment group received intramuscular injections of FM for three days; controls received placebo.
- Histological and mechanical evaluations were performed four weeks post-surgery after a two-week immobilization period.
Main Results:
- FM treatment group showed improved neotendon formation, including better fibrillar linearity, continuity, and neovascularization (p < 0.05).
- Significant increases in ultimate load, yield load, energy absorption, and ultimate stress were observed in the FM group (p < 0.05).
- No significant differences were found in epitenon thickness, stiffness, or ultimate strain between groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Intramuscular flunixin meglumine (FM) administration improved structural and mechanical properties of tendon repairs in a rabbit model.
- FM may be an effective therapeutic option for acute tendon injuries such as severance and laceration.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and explore clinical applications.
