In vitro effect of caveolin-1 as a slow-release material on bone-tendon junction healing: A comparative study

Bone tendon junction injury is hard to cure because of its special anatomical structure, and the treatment applied for bone-tendon junction injury cannot result in the perfect vascular regeneration and restoration of the fibrocartilage zone. In this article, we aim to explore the effect of caveolin-1 as a slow-release material on bone-tendon junction healing. Seventy-two New Zealand rabbits were randomly selected and assigned into the experimental, sham-operated and control groups (n = 24). Caveolin-1 microspheres and microcapsule were developed as drug delivery system. At the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks after surgery, quadriceps muscle patella-patellar tendon (QMPPT) was obtained from each rabbit to observe the tendon-to-bone tunnel healing, and X-ray examination, histological examination and biomechanical testing were applied for evaluating new bone formation. As the X-ray showed, caveolin-1 increased the new bone area at each time point. At the 4th and 8th weeks after surgery, the rabbit treated with caveolin-1 slow release material showed repair of fibrocartilage. According to the biomechanical results, the cross-sectional area, breaking load and ultimate tensile strength were increased along with time. At the same time point, caveolin-1 increased the ultimate tensile strength. Our study demonstrates that caveolin-1 as a slow-release material could accelerate bone-tendon junction healing by promoting the formation of the transition zone.