2018 Volume 27 Issue 4 Pages 309-314
The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effects of ozone therapy on tendon healing in rats. A total of 60 adult male, 1-year old Wistar albino rats weighing 450-500 g were randomly assigned to the ozone group (Group 1, n:30) or the control group (Group 2, n:30). In both groups, the right and left Achilles tendons were cut transversally and then sutured. Group 1 underwent ozone treatment rectally (40 μg/mL) four times a week, while Group 2 received only nutrition and routine care. Ten rats from each group were sacrificed and evaluated in respect of histopathological and biomechanical properties at the end of the 2nd, 4th and 6th weeks. There were statistically significant differences between the groups in respect of fibroblastic proliferation (p=0.042) and inflammation (p=0.001) in the 2nd week. Fibroblastic proliferation was higher in the ozone group, and inflammation in the control group was found to be higher. Remodeling and fibroblastic proliferation were significantly increased in the ozone group in the 4th week (p = 0.007 and p=0.003, respestively). In the 6th week, high remodeling and high fibroblast proliferation were observed in the ozone group compared with the control group (p=0.020, p=0.004, respectively). The biomechanical results revealed that the ozone group had significantly higher breaking load and breaking tensile stress values than the control group in the 6th week (p = 0.007, p = 0.003, respectively). The histopathological and biomechanical findings indicated that the ozone therapy had beneficial effects on Achilles tendon rupture healing.
