J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2006 Aug;30(4):378-384.

The Effects of Anti-inflammatory Drugs on Histologic Findings of the Experimental Prolotherapy Model

• Kim HJ
• Kim SH
• Yun DH
• Lee KS
• Jeong TS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen on histologic changes of the Achilles tendon in an experimental prolotherapy model. METHOD: The right Achilles tendon of 60 rats was injected with 20% dextrose on experimental day 1, 7, and day 14, whereas the left was not injected and used as control. Rats were divided into 3 subgroups: NSAIDs medication group (10 mg/kg/day), acetaminophen medication group (100 mg/ kg/day) and no medication group. Medications were given for 3 consecutive days after each injection. Rats were sacrificed at 3 and 6 weeks after first injection. The transverse diameter of gross specimen, the number of fibroblasts on light microscope, and the distribution of collagen fibril on electron microscope were assessed.
RESULTS
The transverse diameter and the count of fibroblasts of all groups increased significantly in the injected tendon compared to the non-injected tendon. However, there were no differences among all groups significantly (p<0.05). On electron micrograph, fibril diameters of injected tendon consisted of mainly smaller sizes with the intermediate sizes.
CONCLUSION
Prolotherapy enhances fibroblastic stimulation and elaboration of extracellular matrix. Short term use of NSAIDs may not have any adverse effects on tissue proliferation after prolotherapy.

Keyword

Prolotherapy; Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; Acetaminophen; Tendon

MeSH Terms

Acetaminophen
Achilles Tendon
Animals
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
Collagen
Extracellular Matrix
Fibroblasts
Glucose
Rats
Tendons
Acetaminophen
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
Collagen
Glucose