The Effect of Synovial Fluid Enzymes on the Biodegradability of Collagen and Fibrin Clots
2011

Effect of Synovial Fluid Enzymes on Collagen and Fibrin Clots

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Matthew Palmer, Elizabeth Stanford, Martha M. Murray

Primary Institution: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Boston, Harvard Medical School

Hypothesis

Atelocollagen scaffolds would have greater resistance to enzymatic degradation than scaffolds made of gelatin, fibrin, and whole blood.

Conclusion

Atelocollagen-based scaffolds may provide some protection against premature degradation by synovial fluid enzymes over fibrin-based matrices.

Supporting Evidence

  • Atelocollagen scaffolds had a significantly higher resistance to degradation by MMP-1 than all other groups.
  • The gelatin and fibrin scaffolds were completely degraded after 12 hours in MMP-1 solution.
  • Atelocollagen scaffolds exhibited complete resistance to degradation by elastase throughout the experiment.

Takeaway

This study found that a special type of collagen scaffold is better at staying intact in the body than other types when exposed to certain enzymes.

Methodology

Collagen and fibrin-based scaffolds were placed in solutions of MMP-1, elastase, and plasmin, and their degradation was measured over time.

Limitations

All scaffolds tested showed degradation in the MMP-1 solution by 48 hours.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p < 0.02 for MMP-1 comparisons; p < 0.001 for elastase comparisons

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3390/ma4081469

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