ALTERED MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND FIBER RE-ALIGNMENT IN DIABETIC MOUSE SUPRASPINATUS AND ACHILLES TENDONS

摘要

Tendons function to transfer load, maintain alignment and permit motion in joints. To perform these functions, tendons have complex mechanical behavior which is modulated by the tissue's structure and composition, such as the collagen fibers and surrounding extracellular matrix. When these matrix proteins are altered, the mechanical properties are also altered, which could potentially lead to reduced loading and healing capacity. Diabetes is a metabolic disease which, among other co-morbidities, has been associated with Achilles tendon disorganization and tendinopathy, as well as increased overall joint stiffness in humans [1]. We have recently reported that the skin from the Db/Db diabetic mouse, a model of Type II Diabetes, as well as the skin from human diabetics, have impaired biomechanical properties compared to non-diabetic skin as the result of altered extracellular matrix composition.