Computed microtomographic imaging of revascularization during healing of Achilles tendon injury.

ABSTRACT: Angiogenesis in injured tendons may contribute to regeneration, but quantifying it post-injury has been mostly limited to 2D semi-quantitative histology. This study aimed to develop micro-CT as a 3D tool to quantitatively assess tendon blood vessels in an experimental animal model. Adult male Wistar rats (N = 36) had injuries induced in their Achilles tendons by needle insertion. The study included three post-injury groups: 12 hours post-injury (12H), 3 weeks post-injury (3W), and 8 weeks post-injury (8W). The uninjured left Achilles tendon served as the control for each group. Intravital cardiac perfusion with barium sulfate enhanced contrast between tendon and vasculature. Micro-CT imaging was performed on dissected tendons in proximal, middle, and distal regions to assess total volume,

SUBMITTER: Ocak M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12265015 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature