Molecular repair mechanisms using the Intratissue Percutaneous Electrolysis technique in patellar tendonitis

Abstract Objective To investigate the molecular mechanisms of tissue response after treatment with the Intratissue Percutaneous Electrolysis (EPI ® ) technique in collagenase-induced tendinopathy in Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods Tendinopathy was induced by injecting 50 μg of type i collagenase into the patellar tendon of 24 Sprague Dawley rats of 7 months of age and weighting 300 g. The sample was divided into 4 groups: the control group, collagenase group, and two EPI ® technique treatment groups of 3 and 6 mA, respectively. An EPI ® treatment session was applied, and after 3 days, the tendons were analyzed using immunoblotting and electrophoresis techniques. An analysis was also made of cytochrome C protein, Smac/Diablo, vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor 2, as well as the nuclear transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. Results A statistically significant increase, compared to the control group, was observed in the expression of cytochrome C, Smac/Diablo, vascular endothelial growth factor, its receptor 2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in the groups in which the EPI ® technique was applied. Conclusions EPI ® technique produces an increase in anti-inflammatory and angiogenic molecular mechanisms in collagenase-induced tendon injury in rats.