Effects of preservation on the tensile properties and structure of the meniscus

IF 2.9 3区医学 Q3 BIOPHYSICS

Journal of biomechanics Pub Date : 2026-09-01 Epub Date: 2026-08-27 DOI:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2026.113545

Chester Jar, Abbi Oguchi, Mohammadhamed Shahsavari, Nadr M. Jomha, Lindsey Westover, Gail M. Thornton

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Meniscus allografts must be transplanted shortly after harvest or be preserved until transplantation, typically by freezing. However, the effects of preservation on the structure–function relationship of the meniscus are not well understood. The objective of this study was to propose a physical mechanism by which preservation affects the tensile properties of the meniscus. It is hypothesized that the separation of collagen fibres from voids formed during freezing and fresh storage decrease tensile strength and modulus.

Medial and lateral porcine menisci were dissected on the day of slaughter and allocated into four groups: processed immediately (controls), fresh storage (4 °C, 21 days), or frozen with (−140 °C, 21 days) and without cryoprotectant (−80 °C, 21 days). Tensile tests were performed in the circumferential and radial directions to measure tensile modulus, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and ultimate strain in the circumferential and radial directions. Area void fractions of collagen fibre bundles were estimated from scanning electron microscopy images.

All preservation groups had a significantly lower modulus, UTS and a significantly greater void fraction than controls. Menisci frozen with cryoprotectant had a significantly greater modulus, UTS and a significantly lower void fraction than those frozen without. No significant differences in mechanical or structural properties were found between the freezing without cryoprotectant and fresh storage groups.

Decreases in tensile properties may result from interfibrillar changes such as fibril spacing and crosslinking. Future tensile studies should include dynamic mechanical analysis, physiological strain rates, and a physically representative material model.

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保存对半月板拉伸性能和结构的影响。

同种异体半月板移植必须在收获后不久进行移植，或者通常通过冷冻保存直到移植。然而，保存对半月板结构-功能关系的影响尚不清楚。本研究的目的是提出一个物理机制，通过保存影响半月板的拉伸性能。据推测，胶原纤维从冷冻和新鲜储存过程中形成的空隙中分离会降低拉伸强度和模量。在屠宰当天解剖猪内侧和外侧半月板，并分为四组：立即处理（对照组），新鲜储存（4°C， 21天），或用（-140°C， 21天）不加冷冻保护剂（-80°C， 21天）冷冻。在周向和径向进行拉伸试验，测量周向和径向的拉伸模量、极限拉伸强度（UTS）和极限应变。通过扫描电镜图像估计胶原纤维束的面积空隙率。与对照组相比，所有保存组的模量、UTS和空隙率均显著降低。与未冷冻的半月板相比，冷冻保护剂冷冻的半月板具有显著更高的模量、UTS和显著更低的空隙率。在不加冷冻保护剂的冷冻组和新鲜储存组之间，机械和结构性能没有显著差异。拉伸性能的降低可能是由纤维间距和交联等纤维间变化引起的。未来的拉伸研究应包括动态力学分析、生理应变率和具有物理代表性的材料模型。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of biomechanics 生物-工程：生物医学

CiteScore

5.10

自引率

4.20%

发文量

345

审稿时长

1 months

期刊介绍： The Journal of Biomechanics publishes reports of original and substantial findings using the principles of mechanics to explore biological problems. Analytical, as well as experimental papers may be submitted, and the journal accepts original articles, surveys and perspective articles (usually by Editorial invitation only), book reviews and letters to the Editor. The criteria for acceptance of manuscripts include excellence, novelty, significance, clarity, conciseness and interest to the readership. Papers published in the journal may cover a wide range of topics in biomechanics, including, but not limited to: -Fundamental Topics - Biomechanics of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, mechanics of hard and soft tissues, biofluid mechanics, mechanics of prostheses and implant-tissue interfaces, mechanics of cells. -Cardiovascular and Respiratory Biomechanics - Mechanics of blood-flow, air-flow, mechanics of the soft tissues, flow-tissue or flow-prosthesis interactions. -Cell Biomechanics - Biomechanic analyses of cells, membranes and sub-cellular structures; the relationship of the mechanical environment to cell and tissue response. -Dental Biomechanics - Design and analysis of dental tissues and prostheses, mechanics of chewing. -Functional Tissue Engineering - The role of biomechanical factors in engineered tissue replacements and regenerative medicine. -Injury Biomechanics - Mechanics of impact and trauma, dynamics of man-machine interaction. -Molecular Biomechanics - Mechanical analyses of biomolecules. -Orthopedic Biomechanics - Mechanics of fracture and fracture fixation, mechanics of implants and implant fixation, mechanics of bones and joints, wear of natural and artificial joints. -Rehabilitation Biomechanics - Analyses of gait, mechanics of prosthetics and orthotics. -Sports Biomechanics - Mechanical analyses of sports performance.