J Phys Ther Rehabil | Volume 1, Issue 1 | Review Article | Open Access
Hadjisavvas S* and Themistocleous IC
Department of Life Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
*Correspondance to: Stelios Hadjisavvas
Fulltext PDFThe objective of this research was to examine the impact of mechanical load on the mechanical properties of tendon tissue. By elucidating the biological mechanism of tendon adaptation to mechanical pressure, the findings of this study will be utilized to enhance preventative and rehabilitation programs. Tendon apoptosis can occur in response to short - term, high strain mechanical loading and apoptosis may play an important role in the pathogenesis of tendinopathy. Application of an aggressive cyclical loading regimen to tendon explants in tissue culture was found to cause an increase in PGE-2 secretion compared to a moderate cyclical loading regimen. In contrast, nitric oxide secretion was found to be increased with moderate cyclical loading. Increased loading of tendon tissue results in an upregulation of expression of IGF-I, IGFBP-4, and procollagen mRNA and that this is associated with an increase in tendon mass. Furthermore, the presence of the IGF-I isoform MGF was demonstrated in tendon, and MGF displayed an early upregulation of its expression with mechanical loading. Cyclic tensile strain can increase anabolic activity in tendon fascicles in vivo as demonstrated by an upregulation in collagen production in response to cyclic tensile strain and mechanical stimulation is an important regulatory factor for the maintenance of tendon matrix. The long-term application of cyclic tensile strain induces an upregulation of collagen synthesis in terms of [3H]-proline incorporation, whereas the short-term application of cyclic strain induces an inhibition of collagen production. Patellar tendon mRNA levels of CTGF and collagen I were increased 24 hours after one hour of strenuous kicking exercise. There seems to be an optimal range of mechanical loading which induces anabolic effects on tendon tissues. Deviation from this optimal loading might induce catabolic effects. However further research is required before the biological effects of mechanical loading are conclusively understood.
Τendon Tissue; Tendon Fibroblast; Mechanical Load; Mechanical Force and Mechanotransduction
Hadjisavvas S, Themistocleous IC. The Biological Impact of Mechanical Load on Tendons: Review. J Phys Ther Rehabil. 2024; 1(1): 1001..