Work

Avocado–Soybean Unsaponifiables Enhance Tendon Healing via Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Mechanisms in a Rat Achilles Injury Model

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background and Objectives: Tendon healing is a multifactorial process influenced by inflammation and oxidative stress. Avocado–soybean unsaponifiables (ASU), recognized for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in osteoarthritis, have not yet been evaluated in tendon repair. This study aimed to investigate the effects of systemic ASU administration on histological, biomechanical, and biochemical parameters of tendon healing in a rat Achilles tendon injury model. Materials and Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats underwent bilateral Achilles tendon transection and repair. The ASU group received intraperitoneal ASU (300 mg/kg/day) for four weeks; controls received saline. Right tendons were analyzed histologically using a semiquantitative scoring system adapted from Curtis–DeLee, Bonar, and Modified Soslowsky criteria. Left tendons were tested biomechanically for maximum force, displacement, stress, stiffness, and energy parameters. Serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured by ELISA. Results: ASU markedly improved histological healing with better collagen alignment, reduced inflammation, and normalized tenocyte morphology (p < 0.001). Biomechanical strength increased, with higher maximum force (p = 0.002), displacement (p = 0.004), stress (p = 0.001), and total energy to failure (p = 0.001). Serum IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were lower (p < 0.001), while TAS increased and TOS/OSI decreased (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Systemic ASU administration enhances tendon healing by improving tissue organization, increasing mechanical strength, and modulating systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. These findings suggest that ASU may serve as a safe, clinically relevant adjunct therapy to promote tendon regeneration.

Source: Medicina

DOI: 10.3390/medicina61112035

Authors: Mustafa Dinç, Ömer Cevdet Soydemir, Hünkar Çağdaş Bayrak, Recep Karasu, Bilal Aykaç, Mehmet Emre Topcu

Institutions: Bursa City Hospital, Bursa Uludağ Üni̇versi̇tesi̇

Language: English

Topic: Tendon Structure and Treatment

Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,654