Human Achilles tendon glycation and function in diabetes

Elevated glycated haemoglobin affects Achilles tendon properties and walking capacity in healthy people without a diagnosis of diabetes

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that individuals with an increase in HbA1c (i.e. above the regular but below the diabetic threshold) exhibit an impairment in the Achilles tendon structure and walking capacity, due to the adverse effect of the advanced glycation end-product. One hundred fifty-eight participants matched for gender, age, physical activity and BMI, were divided in two cohorts based on the HbA1c level: normal HbA1c (NGH; <39 mmol/molHb; n = 79) and altered HbA1c (AGH; >=39 mmol/molHb; n = 79). Each participant performed several walking trials to evaluate the kinematic parameters during walling at the self-selected speed and a quantitative MRI scan of the Achilles tendon (AT) to obtain its intrinsic characteristics (i.e. T2* relaxation time short and long component). The AT T2* relaxation time short component (a parameter related to the tendon collagen quality) was reduced in AGH compared to NGH. Furthermore, AGH exhibited a slower self-selected walking speed (NGH: 1.59 ± 0.18 m/s; AGH:1.54 ± 0.16 m/s) and a shorter stride length (NGH: 1.59 ± 0.13 m; AGH:1.55 ± 0.11 m). Our data suggest that a non-pathological increase in HbA1c is able to negatively affect AT collagen quality and walking capacity in healthy people. These results highlight the importance of glycemic control, even below the pathological threshold. Since diabetes could alter several biological pathways, further studies are necessary to determine which mechanisms and their timing, regarding the HbA1c rise, affect tendon composition and, consequently, walking capacity.

Location-Dependent Biomechanical Characterization of the Human Achilles Tendon in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Patients

Although diabetes is associated with alterations in the structural and functional properties of soft tissue, the response of the human Achilles tendon to location-dependent variations in both quasi-static and dynamic loading is unclear. This study aimed to characterize the elastic, viscoelastic, hysteresis, and failure properties of the distal, midsubstance, and proximal Achilles tendons in diabetic and nondiabetic patients and to investigate the relationship between biomechanical and clinical observations. Tendons were obtained from patients who underwent above- or below-knee amputation. Dumbbell-shaped specimens were harvested from the three sites. Relaxation tests were performed to determine viscoelastic characteristics. Cyclic loading tests at various frequencies were deployed to determine the dynamic modulus and phase angles. Incremental cyclic loading tests were carried out to investigate the backbone curve and energy dissipation due to hysteresis. Additionally, monotonic loading tests were performed to determine the elastic and failure properties. The results show that biomechanical parameters are not significantly different among the three sites. However, the midsubstance site exhibits significantly higher energy dissipation compared to other sites. Additionally, an increase in cyclic frequency enhances the phase angle, indicating that higher energy dissipation may protect the tendon from high loading rates. Furthermore, an increase in body mass index (BMI) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is significantly and negatively correlated with stiffness and viscoelasticity, suggesting that improving metabolic health may prevent tendon impairment. These findings may assist in creating more effective therapeutic strategies for tendon repair.

Metabolic Risk Factors Relate to Worse Tendon Health in Individuals With Achilles Tendinopathy

A high proportion of individuals with Achilles tendinopathy continue to demonstrate long-term symptoms and functional impairments after exercise treatment. Thus, there is a need to delineate patient presentations that may require alternative treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate if the presence of metabolic risk factors relates to tendon symptoms, psychological factors, triceps surae structure, and lower limb function in individuals with Achilles tendinopathy. One hundred and fifty-eight individuals (88 female) with diagnosed midportion Achilles tendinopathy were divided into three groups based on the number of metabolic risk factors linked to cardiovascular disease present at baseline: two or more factors, one factor, no factors. Metabolic risk factors were determined by clinical evaluation and past medical history. Achilles tendinopathy symptoms (Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles, Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System, movement-evoked pain ratings), psychological factors (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia), triceps surae structure (B-mode ultrasound of tendon and muscle morphology, continuous shear wave elastography of tendon mechanical properties), and lower limb function (test battery) were compared among groups. Individuals with two or more metabolic risk factors had worse symptoms with loading (p = 0.011), smaller Achilles tendon size relative to body mass (p = 0.002), and worse lower limb function compared to individuals without metabolic risk factors (p < 0.02). No differences were observed between individuals with one metabolic risk factor and those without metabolic risk factors. Future consideration of multiple metabolic risk factors for individuals with Achilles tendinopathy could facilitate understanding the underlying impairments of tendon pathology and recovery that may be addressed with treatment.

Relationship Between Structure and Age in Healthy Achilles Tendons

Age is an important factor to consider with Achilles tendon injury, as variability in tendon structure during developmental growth and aging influence lower limb function and mobility. However, the overlap in structural alterations with aging and Achilles tendon injury makes it unclear which structural changes are related to age separate from tendon pathology. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between structure and age in healthy Achilles tendons. Healthy Achilles tendons from 389 children and adults (8-79 years) were included in this retrospective analysis. Achilles tendon morphology was assessed via B-mode ultrasound of Achilles tendon length, cross-sectional area (CSA), and thickness. Mechanical properties of Achilles tendon shear modulus and viscosity were assessed via continuous shear wave elastography. The relationship between Achilles tendon structure and age was determined using General Linear Models and White's test of heteroscedasticity (to assess for unequal variance across the age span), controlling for sex, weight, and physical activity level. Healthy free Achilles tendon length (p = 0.002), thickness (p < 0.001), CSA (p < 0.001), and viscosity (p = 0.009) increased with age, supporting age-related changes in tendon structure that may limit its capacity to store and transfer energy in older adults. Full Achilles tendon length and CSA varied across the age span (p < 0.05), suggesting the Achilles tendon undergoes natural aging processes seen with most musculoskeletal tissue. Normative data on Achilles tendon structure with age will contribute to our understanding and interpretation of Achilles tendon injury pathogenesis; aiding in the design of injury prevention and treatment strategies.

Advanced Glycation End Products and Mobility Decline: A Novel Perspective on Aging

Background/Objectives: Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) are high-molecular-weight compounds formed through non-enzymatic reactions between sugars and proteins, lipids, or nucleic acids. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the association between the accumulation of AGEs and lower-limb muscle strength, gait speed, and balance abilities related to mobility in elderly individuals. Methods: This cross-sectional correlational study included 552 community-dwelling older adults. AGE accumulation was assessed using skin autofluorescence (SAF) measured using an AGE reader. Mobility decline factors were evaluated using the sit-to-stand (STS), gait speed (4 m walk tests), single-leg stance (SLS), and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests. Results: A comparison of the physical function across the quartile groups revealed that the group with the highest SAF values, Q4, exhibited a general decline in STS, gait speed, SLS, and TUG performance when compared with the other groups (p < 0.001). Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that the SAF-AGEs demonstrated significant negative correlations with STS (r = -0.211, p < 0.001), gait speed (r = -0.243, p < 0.001) and SLS (r = -0.201, p < 0.001). Additionally, TUG showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.239, p < 0.001). In the logistic regression analysis, compared with the Q1 group, the Q4 group had significantly higher odds of low STS performance (odds ratio (OR) = 2.43, p = 0.006), slow gait speed (OR = 2.28, p = 0.002), low SLS performance (OR = 2.52, p = 0.001), and slow TUG (OR = 2.00, p = 0.035). The optimal cutoff value of the SAF for mobility decline was 3.15 (area under the curve 0.694; 95% confidence interval: 0.618-0.771). Conclusions: This study has demonstrated that higher SAF values were associated with decreased lower-limb strength, gait speed, and balance, thereby suggesting that SAF may be a useful screening tool for predicting mobility decline in older adults.

High levels of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) are associated with lower knee joint cartilage quality and higher knee joint symptoms in healthy individuals

In an asymptomatic population, we investigated the relationships between glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and cartilage T2 relaxation time at the knee joint level. Fourteen and 17 participants with high and normal levels of HbA1c were recruited, respectively. A blood sample was used to determine the HbA1c level. T2 relaxation time (T2) of the superficial and deep parts of the femoral cartilage in the anterior, central, and posterior topographical sites was calculated using magnetic resonance (1.5 T) images. Each participant completed a knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score questionnaire (KOOS) and a series of biomechanical analyses while running at their self-selected speed. The group with a high level of HbA1c had a lower score of KOOS symptoms than the other group (P < 0.05). HbA1c was found to be negatively related to the KOOS symptoms score. The group with a high level of HbA1c had low T2 values in all of the investigated topographical sites of the knee femoral cartilage (P < 0.05 in all cases). T2 was negatively correlated with HbA1c levels in all investigated knee femoral cartilage regions. Our data suggest that the subjects with high levels of HbA1c were those with low knee joint symptoms and lower values of T2. These results indicate that HbA1c could be correlated with cartilage deterioration due to its ability to dehydrate collagen fibre, possibly acting as a risk factor for the development of osteoarthritis.

Effects of minute oscillation stretching training on muscle and tendon stiffness and walking capability in people with type 2 diabetes

AIM

we investigated the effects of a 10 week training program (i.e., minute oscillatory stretching; MOS) on the mechanical responses and walking capability in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

METHODS

seventeen T2D patients performed maximum voluntary contractions of the plantar flexor muscles during which Achilles tendon stiffness (kT) and muscle-tendon stiffness (kM) were evaluated at different percentages of the maximum voluntary force (MVC). In addition, each participant was requested to walk at different walking speeds (i.e. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 kmh-1) while their net energy cost of walking (Cnet), cumulative EMG activity per distance travelled (CMAPD) and kinematic parameters (step length, step frequency, the ankle/knee range of motion) were evaluated.

RESULTS

maximum tendon elongation increased after MOS training, and kT significantly decreased (between 0 and 20% of MVC). No differences were observed for muscle elongation or kM after training. Cnet decreased after training (at the slowest tested speeds) while no changes in CMAPD were observed. Step length and ankle ROM during walking increased after training at the slowest tested speeds, while step frequency decreased; no significant effects were observed for knee ROM.

CONCLUSION

these results indicate the effectiveness of 10 weeks of MOS training in reducing tendon stiffness and the energy cost during walking in people with T2D. This training protocol requires no specific instrumentation, can be easily performed at home, and has a high adherence (92 ± 9%). It could, thus, be useful to mitigate mechanical tendon deterioration and improve physical behaviour in this population.

Patellar tendon biomechanical and morphologic properties and their relationship to serum clinical variables in persons with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes

Tendon biomechanical properties and fibril organization are altered in patients with diabetes compared to healthy individuals, yet few biomarkers have been associated with in vivo tendon properties. We investigated the relationships between in vivo imaging-based tendon properties, serum variables, and patient characteristics across healthy controls (n = 14, age: 45 ± 5 years, body mass index [BMI]: 24 ± 1, hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]: 5.3 ± 0.1%), prediabetes (n = 14, age: 54 ± 5 years, BMI: 29 ± 2; HbA1c: 5.7 ± 0.1), and type 2 diabetes (n = 13, age: 55 ± 3 years, BMI: 33 ± 2, HbA1c: 6.7 ± 0.3). We used ultrasound speckle-tracking and measurements from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to estimate the patellar tendon in vivo tangent modulus. Analysis of plasma c-peptide, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), adiponectin, leptin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and C-reactive protein (CRP) was completed. We built regression models incorporating statistically significant covariates and indicators for the clinically defined groups. We found that tendon cross-sectional area normalized to body weight (BWN CSA) and modulus were lower in patients with type 2 diabetes than in healthy controls (p < 0.05). Our regression analysis revealed that a model that included BMI, leptin, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), age, and group explained ~70% of the variability in BWN CSA (R2 = 0.70, p < 0.001). For modulus, including the main effects LDL, groups, HbA1c, age, BMI, cholesterol, IGF-1, c-peptide, leptin, and IL-6, accounted for ~54% of the variability in modulus (R2 = 0.54, p < 0.05). While BWN CSA and modulus were lower in those with diabetes, group was a poor predicter of tendon properties when considering the selected covariates. These data highlight the multifactorial nature of tendon changes with diabetes and suggest that blood variables could be reliable predictors of tendon properties.

Relationship between deep and superficial sensitivity assessments and gait analysis in diabetic foot patients

Peripheral neuropathy is a prevalent complication of diabetes that can lead to gait impairment and its adverse consequences. This study explored the potential utility of different parameters of gait analysis using a single sensor unit as a simple tool to detect peripheral neuropathy in 85 diabetic patients (DP) with diabetic foot in whom different somato-sensitivity tests in the feet were performed. Gait spatiotemporal parameters were examined by sensor inertial measurement placed in the lumbar area, while the superficial sensitivity pathway was assessed by nociception tests and deep sensitivity was examined by light touch-pressure and vibration sensitivity tests. Correlations between each sensory test and gait parameters were analysed in a logistic regression model in order to assess if gait parameters are associated with two different sensory pathways. Impaired deep sensory pathways were significantly (P < .05) correlated with lower gait speed, reduced cadence, smaller stride length, longer stance periods, and a higher risk of falling on the Tinetti Scale, while all gait parameters were significantly (P < .01) correlated with the superficial sensory pathway. Type 2 diabetics have significantly (P < .05) higher impairment in vibratory sensitivity than type 1 diabetics, and the years with diabetes mellitus (DM) diagnosis have a significant (P < .05) association with reduced vibration sensitivity. These findings indicate relationships between the deep sensory pathway and gait impairments in DP measured by inertial sensors, which could be a useful tool to diagnose gait alterations in DP and to evaluate the effect of treatments to improve gait and thus the risk of falls in diabetic patients.

The influence of AGEs and enzymatic cross-links on the mechanical properties of collagen fibrils

Collagen, one of the main building blocks for various tissues, derives its mechanical properties directly from its structure of cross-linked tropocollagen molecules. The cross-links are considered to be a key component of collagen fibrils as they can change the fibrillar behavior in various ways. For instance, enzymatic cross-links (ECLs), one particular type of cross-links, are known for stabilizing the structure of the fibril and improving material properties, while cross-linking AGEs (Advanced-Glycation Endproducts) have been shown to accumulate and impair the mechanical properties of collageneous tissues. However, the reasons for whether and how a given type of cross-link improves or impairs the material properties remain unknown, and the exact relationship between the cross-link properties and density, and the fibrillar behavior is still not well understood. Here, we use coarse-grained steered molecular models to evaluate the effect of AGEs and ECLs cross-links content on the deformation and failure properties of collagen fibrils. Our simulations show that the collagen fibrils stiffen at high strain levels when the AGEs content exceeds a critical value. In addition, the strength of the fibril increases with AGEs accumulation. By analyzing the forces within the different types of cross-links (AGEs and ECLs) as well as their failure, we demonstrate that a change of deformation mechanism is at the origin of these observations. A high AGEs content reinforces force transfer through AGEs cross-links rather than through friction between sliding tropocollagen molecules, which leads to failure by breaking of bonds within the tropocollagen molecules. We show that this failure mechanism, which is associated with lower energy dissipation, results in more abrupt failure of the collagen fibril. Our results provide a direct and causal link between increased AGEs content, inhibited intra-fibrillar sliding, increased stiffness, and abrupt fibril fracture. Therefore, they explain the mechanical origin of bone brittleness as commonly observed in elderly and diabetic populations. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying impaired tissue behavior due to elevated AGEs content and could enable targeted measures regarding the reduction of specific collagen cross-linking levels.

Compromised neuromuscular function of walking in people with diabetes: a narrative review

AIM

This review summarizes recent studies that have investigated the neuromuscular dysfunction of walking in people with diabetes and its relationship to ulcer formation.

METHODS

A comprehensive electronic search in the database (Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, ProQuest, and PubMed) was performed for articles pertaining to diabetes and gait biomechanics.

RESULTS

The Achilles tendon is thicker and stiffer in those with diabetes. People with diabetes demonstrate changes in walking kinematics and kinetics, including slower self-selected gait speed, shorter stride length, longer stance phase duration, and decreased ankle, knee, and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint range of motion. EMG is altered during walking and may reflect diabetes-induced changes in muscle synergies. Synergies are notable because they provide a more holistic pattern of muscle activations and can help develop better tools for characterizing disease progression.

CONCLUSION

Diabetes compromises neuromuscular coordination and function. The mechanisms contributing to ulcer formation are incompletely understood. Diabetes-related gait impairments may be a significant independent risk factor for the development of foot ulcers.

Intra-Articular Hyaluronic Acid in Osteoarthritis and Tendinopathies: Molecular and Clinical Approaches

Musculoskeletal diseases continue to rise on a global scale, causing significant socioeconomic impact and decreased quality of life. The most common disorders affecting musculoskeletal structures are osteoarthritis and tendinopathies, complicated orthopedic conditions responsible for major pain and debilitation. Intra-articular hyaluronic acid (HA) has been a safe, effective, and minimally invasive therapeutic tool for treating these diseases. Several studies from bedside to clinical practice reveal the multiple benefits of HA such as lubrication, anti-inflammation, and stimulation of cellular activity associated with proliferation, differentiation, migration, and secretion of additional molecules. Collectively, these effects have demonstrated positive outcomes that assist in the regeneration of chondral and tendinous tissues which are otherwise destroyed by the predominant catabolic and inflammatory conditions seen in tissue injury. The literature describes the physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties of HA, their commercial product types, and clinical applications individually, while their interfaces are seldom reported. Our review addresses the frontiers of basic sciences, products, and clinical approaches. It provides physicians with a better understanding of the boundaries between the processes that lead to diseases, the molecular mechanisms that contribute to tissue repair, and the benefits of the HA types for a conscientious choice. In addition, it points out the current needs for the treatments.

Impact of elevated serum advanced glycation end products and exercise on intact and injured murine tendons

OVERVIEW

Delayed tendon healing is a significant clinical challenge for those with diabetes. We explored the role of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), a protein modification present at elevated levels in serum of individuals with diabetes, on injured and intact tendons using a mouse model. Cell proliferation following tissue injury is a vital component of healing. Based on our previous work demonstrating that AGEs limit cell proliferation, we proposed that AGEs are responsible for the delayed healing process commonly observed in diabetic patients. Further, in pursuit of interventional strategies, we suggested that moderate treadmill exercise may support a healing environment in the presence of AGEs as exercise has been shown to stimulate cell proliferation in tendon tissue.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice began receiving daily intraperitoneal injections of bovine serum albumin (BSA)-Control or AGE-BSA injections (200μg/ml) at 16-weeks of age. A tendon injury was created in the central third of both patellar tendons. Animals assigned to an exercise group began a moderate treadmill protocol one week following injury. The intact Achilles tendon and soleus muscle were also evaluated to assess the effect of BSA and AGE-BSA on un-injured muscle and tendon.

RESULTS

We demonstrate that our injection dosing and schedule lead to an increase in serum AGEs. Our findings imply that AGEs indeed modulate gene expression following a patellar tendon injury and have modest effects on gene expression in intact muscle and tendon.

CONCLUSIONS

While additional biomechanical analysis is warranted, these data suggest that elevated serum AGEs in persons with diabetes may impact tendon health.

B-Mode Ultrasonography Is a Reliable and Valid Alternative to Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Measuring Patellar Tendon Cross-Sectional Area

This study investigated the validity and reliability of measuring patellar tendon (PT) cross-sectional area (CSA) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) imaging. Nineteen healthy participants (10 women, 9 men) participated in three imaging sessions of the PT, once via MRI and twice via US, with image acquisition conducted by two raters, one experienced (rater 2) and one inexperienced (rater 1). All PT segmentations were analyzed by both raters. The validity of US-derived estimates of PT CSA against MRI estimates was analyzed using linear regression. Within-day reliability of US and MRI measurements and between-day reliability of US measurements were quantified using typical error (TE) and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC_3,1). There was good agreement between US- and MRI-derived estimations of PT CSA (standard errors of the estimate of 3.3 mm² for rater 1 and 2.6 mm² for rater 2; Pearson's r = 0.97 and 0.98 for raters 1 and 2, respectively). Within-session reliability for estimations of total PT CSA from US and MRI were excellent (ICC_3,1 >0.95, coefficient of variation [CV] <4.1%, TE = 1.3-3.6 mm². Between-day reliability for US was excellent (ICC_3,1 >0.97, CV <2.7%, TE = 1.6-2.3 mm²), with little difference between raters. These findings suggest that MRI and US both provide reliable estimates of PT CSA and that US can provide a valid measure of PT CSA.

Is Curcumine Useful in the Treatment and Prevention of the Tendinopathy and Myotendinous Junction Injury? A Scoping Review

Physical activity in general and sports in particular, is a mechanism that produces stress and generates great force in the tendon and in the muscle-tendon unit, which increases the risk of injury (tendinopathies). Eccentric and repetitive contraction of the muscle precipitates persistent microtraumatism in the tendon unit. In the development of tendinopathies, the cellular process includes inflammation, apoptosis, vascular, and neuronal changes. Currently, treatments with oral supplements are frequently used. Curcumin seems to preserve, and even repair, damaged tendons. In this systematic review, we focus more especially on the benefits of curcumin. The biological actions of curcumin are diverse, but act around three systems: (a) inflammatory, (b) nuclear factor B (NF-κB) related apoptosis pathways, and (c) oxidative stress systems. A bibliographic search is conducted under the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) as a basis for reporting reliable systematic reviews to perform a Scoping review. After analysing the manuscripts, we can conclude that curcumin is a product that demonstrates a significant biological antialgic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant power. Therefore, supplementation has a positive effect on the inflammatory and regenerative response in tendinopathies. In addition, curcumin decreases and modulates the cell infiltration, activation, and maturation of leukocytes, as well as the production of pro-inflammatory mediators at the site of inflammation.

Histological Manifestations of Diabetic Kidney Disease and its Relationship with Insulin Resistance

Histological manifestations of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) include mesangiolysis, mesangial matrix expansion, mesangial cell proliferation, thickening of the glomerular basement membrane, podocyte loss, foot process effacement, and hyalinosis of the glomerular arterioles, interstitial fibrosis, and tubular atrophy. Glomerulomegaly is a typical finding. Histological features of DKD may occur in the absence of clinical manifestations, having been documented in patients with normal urinary albumin excretion and normal glomerular filtration rate. Furthermore, the histological picture progresses over time, while clinical data may remain normal. Conversely, histological lesions of DKD improve with metabolic normalization following effective pancreas transplantation. Insulin resistance has been associated with the clinical manifestations of DKD (nephromegaly, glomerular hyperfiltration, albuminuria, and kidney failure). Likewise, insulin resistance may underlie the histological manifestations of DKD. Morphological changes of DKD are absent in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes patients (with no insulin resistance) but appear afterward when insulin resistance develops. In contrast, structural lesions of DKD are typically present before the clinical diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Several heterogeneous conditions that share the occurrence of insulin resistance, such as aging, obesity, acromegaly, lipodystrophy, cystic fibrosis, insulin receptor dysfunction, and Alström syndrome, also share both clinical and structural manifestations of kidney disease, including glomerulomegaly and other features of DKD, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, and C3 glomerulopathy, which might be ascribed to the reduction in the synthesis of factor H binding sites (such as heparan sulfate) that leads to uncontrolled complement activation. Alström syndrome patients show systemic interstitial fibrosis markedly similar to that present in diabetes.

Effect of Diabetes on Tendon Structure and Function: Not Limited to Collagen Crosslinking

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with musculoskeletal complications-including tendon dysfunction and injury. Patients with DM show altered foot and ankle mechanics that have been attributed to tendon dysfunction as well as impaired recovery post-tendon injury. Despite the problem of DM-related tendon complications, treatment guidelines specific to this population of individuals are lacking. DM impairs tendon structure, function, and healing capacity in tendons throughout the body, but the Achilles tendon is of particular concern and most studied in the diabetic foot. At macroscopic levels, asymptomatic, diabetic Achilles tendons may show morphological abnormalities such as thickening, collagen disorganization, and/or calcific changes at the tendon enthesis. At smaller length scales, DM affects collagen sliding and discrete plasticity due to glycation of collagen. However, how these alterations translate to mechanical deficits observed at larger length scales is an area of continued investigation. In addition to dysfunction of the extracellular matrix, tendon cells such as tenocytes and tendon stem/progenitor cells show significant abnormalities in proliferation, apoptosis, and remodeling capacity in the presence of hyperglycemia and advanced glycation end-products, thus contributing to the disruption of tendon homeostasis and healing. Improving our understanding of the effects of DM on tendons-from molecular pathways to patients-will progress toward targeted therapies in this group at high risk of foot and ankle morbidity.

Changes in physical function and ambulatory state after Achilles tendon lengthening for diabetic foot ulcers

[Purpose] The recurrence rate of diabetic foot ulcers is high and is related to kinematic factors. Achilles tendon lengthening has been shown to reduce the recurrence rate of foot ulcers by increasing the range of motion in the ankle joint and decreasing the plantar load. However, there are few reports on the effects of Achilles tendon lengthening in Japanese patients, but the results are yet to be clarified. This study aims to investigate the effects of Achilles tendon lengthening on physical function and ambulatory state in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. [Participants and Methods] This study initially included 10 patients with diabetic ulcers who had undergone Achilles tendon lengthening between April 2013 and March 2020. We retrospectively evaluated the factors available from the medical records. [Results] The dorsiflexion range of motion in the ankle joint increased by 10.5 degrees on average after surgery, while the plantar load decreased by 19.1 percent, while gait speed and stride length remained unchanged. [Conclusion] Achilles tendon lengthening for diabetic foot ulcers increased the range of motion in the ankle joint and decreased the plantar load without changing the ambulatory state.

The Use of Hexapod External Fixation in the Management of Charcot Foot and Ankle Deformities

Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) and its sequela is a disabling pathology in the foot and ankle. The 2-stage computer hexapod-assisted technique is an effective tool to address midfoot Charcot and ankle-hindfoot deformities to restore function and decrease the risk of amputation secondary to ulceration and infection. Although this is not the only technique available, it is an excellent option in cases with significant angular deformity or subluxation, need to reduce shortening of the foot, and in the presence of soft tissue defects, with or without concurrent soft tissue or bone infection.

Data driven model of midportion achilles tendinopathy health created with factor analysis

Background

Achilles tendinopathy is a complex injury and the clinical presentation spans multiple different domains: physical and psychological symptoms, lower extremity function and tendon structure. A conceptual model of Achilles tendon health comprising these domains has been proposed in the literature. The aim of the study was to fit a model of Achilles tendinopathy using factor analysis and compare that to the conceptual model. An inclusive approach using a wide range of variables spanning multiple potential domains were included.

Methods

Participants (N = 99) with midportion Achilles tendinopathy were assessed with variables representing symptoms, physical function, tendon structure, metabolic syndrome, and psychologic symptoms. A Kaiser-Mayer-Olkin index was used to determine suitable variables for a subsequent exploratory factor analysis.

Results

A model emerged with an acceptable fit to the data (standardized root mean square of residuals = 0.078). Five uncorrelated factors emerged from the model and were labelled as biopsychosocial, lower extremity function, body size, load tolerance, and tendon structure. The total explained variance was 0.51 with the five factors explaining 0.14, 0.12, 0.10, 0.08, and 0.07 respectively. The results differed from the conceptual model as the factors of psychological variables and metabolic variables did not emerge from the analysis.

Conclusion

A data driven model of Achilles tendon health supports assessment of the clinical presentation over multiple domains. As the factors are uncorrelated, the results of assessment of, for example, tendon structure should not be expected to be associated with lower extremity function or biopsychosocial limitations. The results suggest that the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System, counter-movement jump height, body mass index, pain with hopping, and the tendon cross-sectional area can evaluate the five factors, respectively.

Trial registration

Registered on clinicaltrials.gov (Medicine NL of. ClinicalTrials.gov [Internet], 2018), ID number NCT03523325.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-022-05702-1.

Descriptive transcriptome analysis of tendon derived fibroblasts following in-vitro exposure to advanced glycation end products

BACKGROUND

Tendon pathologies affect a large portion of people with diabetes. This high rate of tendon pain, injury, and disease appears to manifest independent of well-controlled HbA1c and fasting blood glucose. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are elevated in the serum of those with diabetes. In vitro, AGEs severely impact tendon fibroblast proliferation and mitochondrial function. However, the extent that AGEs impact the tendon cell transcriptome has not been evaluated.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate transcriptome-wide changes that occur to tendon-derived fibroblasts following treatment with AGEs. We propose to complete a descriptive approach to pathway profiling to broaden our mechanistic understanding of cell signaling events that may contribute to the development of tendon pathology.

METHODS

Rat Achilles tendon fibroblasts were treated with glycolaldehyde-derived AGEs (200μg/ml) for 48 hours in normal glucose (5.5mM) conditions. In addition, total RNA was isolated, and the PolyA+ library was sequenced.

RESULTS

We demonstrate that tendon fibroblasts treated with 200μg/ml of AGEs differentially express 2,159 gene targets compared to fibroblasts treated with an equal amount of BSA-Control. Additionally, we report in a descriptive and ranked fashion 21 implicated cell-signaling pathways.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that AGEs disrupt the tendon fibroblast transcriptome on a large scale and that these pathways may contribute to the development and progression of diabetic tendinopathy. Specifically, pathways related to cell cycle progression and extracellular matrix remodeling were affected in our data set and may play a contributing role in the development of diabetic tendon complications.

Patellar and Achilles Tendon Thickness Differences among Athletes with Different Numbers of Meals per Day: A Cross-Sectional Study

The objective of this study is to analyse differences in the thickness of the patellar (PT) and Achilles tendons (AT) among athletes with different number of meals per day. The design is a cross-sectional, observational study. A total of thirty-six male athletes (with mean age groups ranging from 31 to 40) were recruited and divided into three groups based on the number of daily meals they had (3, 4 or 5 meals). PT and AT were assessed by ultrasound. There were statistically significant differences in PT when comparing groups 1 and 3, at both longitudinal (p < 0.03) and transversal (p < 0.002) planes. There were no differences when comparing groups 1 and 2 or groups 2 and 3. There was a negative correlation between the number of meals per day and tendon thicknesses in both PT (longitudinal plane: r = −0.384; p = 0.02/transversal plane: r = −0.406; p = 0.01) and AT (transversal plane: r = −0.386; p = 0.02). In conclusion, there were patellar tendon thickness differences between participants and the number of daily meals could play a key role in tendon thickness, healing and performance.

Human Achilles tendon mechanical behavior is more strongly related to collagen disorganization than advanced glycation end-products content

Diabetes is associated with impaired tendon homeostasis and subsequent tendon dysfunction, but the mechanisms underlying these associations is unclear. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) accumulate with diabetes and have been suggested to alter tendon function. In vivo imaging in humans has suggested collagen disorganization is more frequent in individuals with diabetes, which could also impair tendon mechanical function. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between tendon tensile mechanics in human Achilles tendon with accumulation of advanced glycation end-products and collagen disorganization. Achilles tendon specimens (n = 16) were collected from individuals undergoing lower extremity amputation or from autopsy. Tendons were tensile tested with simultaneous quantitative polarized light imaging to assess collagen organization, after which AGEs content was assessed using a fluorescence assay. Moderate to strong relationships were observed between measures of collagen organization and tendon tensile mechanics (range of correlation coefficients: 0.570-0.727), whereas no statistically significant relationships were observed between AGEs content and mechanical parameters (range of correlation coefficients: 0.020-0.210). Results suggest that the relationship between AGEs content and tendon tensile mechanics may be masked by multifactorial collagen disorganization at larger length scales (i.e., the fascicle level).

Wearable Sensor for Assessing Gait and Postural Alterations in Patients with Diabetes: A Scoping Review

Background and Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is considered a serious public health problem due to its high prevalence and related complications, including gait and posture impairments due to neuropathy and vascular alterations and the subsequent increased risk of falls. The gait of patients with diabetes is characterized by alterations of the main spatiotemporal gait parameters such as gait velocity, cadence, stride time and length, which are also known to worsen with disease course. Wearable sensor systems can be used for gait analysis by providing spatiotemporal parameters and postural control (evaluated from the perspective of body sway), useful for investigating the disease progression. Thanks to their small size and low cost of their components, inertial measurement units (IMUs) are easy to wear and are cheap tools for movement analysis. Materials and Methods: The aim of this study is to review articles published in the last 21 years (from 2000 to 2021) concerning the application of wearable sensors to assess spatiotemporal parameters of gait and body postural alterations in patients with diabetes mellitus. Relevant articles were searched in the Medline database using PubMed, Ovid and Cochrane libraries. Results: One hundred and four articles were initially identified while searching the scientific literature on this topic. Thirteen were selected and analysed in this review. Wearable motion sensors are useful, noninvasive, low-cost, and objective tools for performing gait and posture analysis in diabetic patients. The IMUs can be worn at the lumber levels, tibias or feet, and different spatiotemporal parameters of movement and static posture can be assessed. Conclusions: Future research should focus on standardizing the measurement setup and selecting the most informative spatiotemporal parameters for gait and posture analysis.

Substantial Achilles adaptation following strength training has no impact on tendon function during walking

Tendons are responsive to mechanical loading and their properties are often the target of intervention programs. The tendon's mechanical properties, particularly stiffness, also govern its function, therefore changes to these properties could have substantial influence on energy-saving mechanisms during activities utilizing the stretch-shortening cycle. We investigated Achilles tendon (AT) function in vivo during walking with respect to a training intervention that elicited significant increases in AT stiffness. 14 men and women completed 12-weeks of isometric plantarflexor strength training that increased AT stiffness, measured during isometric MVC, by ~31%. Before and after the intervention, participants walked shod at their preferred velocity on a fully-instrumented treadmill. Movement kinematics, kinetics and displacement of the gastrocnemius medialis muscle-tendon junction were captured synchronously using 3D motion capture and ultrasound imaging, respectively. A MANOVA test was used to examine changes in AT force, stress, strain, stiffness, Young's modulus, hysteresis and strain energy, measured during walking, before and following strength training. All were non-significant for a main effect of time, therefore no follow-up statistical tests were conducted. Changes in joint kinematics, tendon strain, velocity, work and power and muscle activity during the stance phase were assessed with 1D statistical parametric mapping, all of which also demonstrated a lack of change in response to the intervention. This in vivo examination of tendon function in walking provides an important foundation for investigating the functional consequences of training adaptations. We found substantial increases in AT stiffness did not impact on tendon function during walking. AT stiffness measured during walking, however, was unchanged with training, which suggests that increases in stiffness may not be evident across the whole force-elongation relation, a finding which may help explain previously mixed intervention results and guide future investigations in the functional implications of tendon adaptation.

Computational methods for the investigation of ski boots ergonomics

Ski boots are known to cause vasoconstriction in the wearer’s lower limbs and, thus, cause a “cold leg” phenomenon. To address this problem, this work provides a computational framework for analysing interactions between the ski boot and the lower limb. The geometry of the lower limb was derived from magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography techniques and anthropometric data. The geometry of the ski boot shell was obtained by means of three-dimensional computer aided design models from a manufacturer. Concerning the ski boot liner, laser scanning techniques were implemented to capture the geometry of each layer. The mechanical models of the ski boot and the lower limb were identified and validated by means of coupled experimental investigations and computational analyses. The computational models were exploited to simulate the buckling process and to investigate interaction phenomena between the boot and the lower limb. Similarly, experimental activities were performed to further analyse the buckling phenomena. The obtained computational and experimental results were compared regarding both interaction pressure and displacements between the buckle and the corresponding buckle hooks. These comparisons provided reasonable agreement (mean value of discrepancy between the model and mean experimental results in the tibial region: 20%), underlining the model’s capability to correctly interpret results from experimental measurements. Results identified the critical areas of the leg, such as the tibial region, the calcaneal region of the foot and the anterior sole, which may suffer the most due to the hydrostatic pressure and compressive strain exerted on them. The results highlight that computational methods allow investigation of the interaction phenomena between the lower leg and ski boot, potentially providing an effective framework for a more comfortable and ergonomic design of ski boots.

Charcot Reconstruction: Outcomes in Patients With and Without Diabetes

The objective of this study is to compare risk adjusted matched cohorts of Charcot neuroarthropathy patients who underwent osseous reconstruction with and without diabetes. The 2 groups were matched based on age, body mass index, hypertension, history of end-stage renal disease, and peripheral arterial disease. Bivariate analysis was performed for preoperative infection, location of Charcot breakdown, and post reconstruction outcomes, in patients with a minimum of 1 year follow-up period. Through bivariate analysis, presence of preoperative ulceration (p = .0499) was found to be statistically more likely in the patients with diabetes; whereas, delayed osseous union (p = .0050) and return to ambulation (p ≤ .0001) was statistically more likely in patients without diabetes. The nondiabetic Charcot patients were 17.6 folds more likely to return to ambulation (odds ratio [OR] 17.6 [95% confidence interval {CI} {3.5-87.6}]), and 16.4 folds more likely to have delayed union (OR 16.4 [95% CI {1.9-139.6)]). Subanalysis compared well-controlled diabetic and nondiabetic Charcot neuroarthropathy patients for same factors. Multivariate analysis, in the subanalysis, found return to ambulation was 15.1 times likely to occur in the nondiabetic CN cohort (OR 15.1 [95% CI 1.3-175.8]) compared to the well-controlled diabetic CN cohort.

Chronic hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, and metabolic syndrome are associated with risk of tendon injury

Tendon injury is a considerable problem affecting both physically active and sedentary people. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between markers for metabolic disorders (hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, and metabolic syndrome) and the risk of developing tendon injuries requiring referral to a hospital. The Copenhagen City Heart Study is a prospective study of diabetic and non-diabetic individuals from the Danish general population with different physical activity levels. The cohort was followed for 3 years via national registers with respect to tendon injuries. Data from 5856 individuals (median age 62 years) were included. The overall incidence of tendon injury in both upper and lower extremities that required an out-patient or in-house visit to a hospital was ~5.7/1000 person years. Individuals with elevated HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) even in the prediabetic range (HbA1c>5.7%) had a ~3 times higher risk of tendon injury in the lower extremities only, as compared to individuals with normal HbA1C levels. Hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol>5 mmol/L) increased risk of tendon injury in the upper extremities by ~1.5 times, and individuals with metabolic syndrome had ~2.5 times higher risk of tendon injury in both upper and lower extremities. In conclusion, these data demonstrate for the first time in a large cohort with different physical activity levels that the indicators for metabolic syndrome are a powerful systemic determinant of tendon injury, and two of its components, hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia, each independently make tendons susceptible for damage and injury.

Plantar soft tissues and Achilles tendon thickness and stiffness in people with diabetes: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus is associated with changes in soft tissue structure and function. However, the directionality of this change and the extent to which either tissue thickness or stiffness contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetes-related foot ulcerations is unclear. Hence, this systematic review aims to summarise the existing evidence for soft tissue structural differences in the feet of people with and without diabetes.

METHODS

In compliance with MOOSE and PRISMA guidelines, AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE, ProQuest Health & Medical Collection, ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Database, and Web of Science electronic databases were systematically searched for studies published from database inception until 1st October 2020 [Prospero CRD42020166614]. Reference lists of included studies were further screened. Methodological quality was appraised using a modified critical appraisal tool for quantitative studies developed by McMaster University.

RESULTS

A total of 35 non-randomised observational studies were suitable for inclusion. Within these, 20 studies evaluated plantar tissue thickness, 19 studies evaluated plantar tissue stiffness, 9 studies evaluated Achilles tendon thickness and 5 studies evaluated Achilles tendon stiffness outcomes. No significant differences in plantar tissue thickness were found between people with and without diabetes in 55% of studies (11/20), while significantly increased plantar tissue stiffness was found in people with diabetes in 47% of studies (9/19). Significantly increased Achilles tendon thickness was found in people with diabetes in 44% of studies (4/9), while no significant differences in Achilles tendon stiffness were found between people with and without diabetes in 60% of studies (3/5).

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review found some evidence of soft tissue structural differences between people with and without diabetes. However, uncertainty remains whether these differences independently contribute to diabetes-related foot ulcerations. The heterogeneity of methodological approaches made it difficult to compare across studies and methodological quality was generally inadequate. High-quality studies using standardised and validated assessment techniques in well-defined populations are required to determine more fully the role of structural tissue properties in the pathogenesis of diabetes-related foot ulcerations.

In-shoe pressure thresholds for people with diabetes and neuropathy at risk of ulceration: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

In-shoe pressure thresholds play an increasingly important role in the prevention of diabetes-related foot ulceration (DFU). The evidence of their effectiveness, methodological consistency and scope for refinement are the subject of this review.

METHODS

1107 records were identified (after duplicate removal) based on a search of five databases for studies which applied a specific in-shoe pressure threshold to reduce the risk of ulceration. 37 full text studies were assessed for eligibility of which 21 were included.

RESULTS

Five in-shoe pressure thresholds were identified, which are employed to reduce the risk of diabetes-related foot ulceration: a mean peak pressure threshold of 200 kPa used in conjunction with a 25% baseline reduction target; a sustained pressure threshold of 35 mm Hg, a threshold matrix based on risk, shoe size and foot region, and a 40-80% baseline pressure reduction target. The effectiveness of the latter two thresholds have not been assessed yet and the evidence for the effectiveness of the other in-shoe pressure thresholds is limited, based only on two RCTs and two cohort studies.

CONCLUSIONS

The heterogeneity of current measures precludes meta-analysis and further research and methodological standardisation is required to facilitate ready comparison and the further development of these pressure thresholds.

The AGE Reader: A non-invasive method to assess long-term tissue damage

AIMS

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) are sugar-modified adducts which arise during non-enzymatic glycoxidative stress. These compounds may become systemically elevated in disease states, and accumulate in tissue, especially on long-lived proteins. AGEs have been implicated in various acute, and chronic diseases, stressing the need for reliable and comprehensive measuring techniques. Measurement of AGEs in tissue such as skin requires invasive skin biopsies. The AGE Reader has been developed to assess skin autofluorescence (SAF) non-invasively using the fluorescent properties of several AGEs.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION

Various studies have shown that SAF is a useful marker of disease processes associated with oxidative stress. It is prospectively associated with the development of cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes, renal or cardiovascular disease, and it predicts diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mortality in the general population. However, when measuring SAF in individual subjects, several factors may limit the reliability of the measurement. These include endogenous factors present in the skin that absorb emission light such as melanin in dark-skinned subjects, but also factors that lead to temporal changes in SAF such as acute diseases and strenuous physical exercise associated with glycoxidative stress. Also, exogenous factors could potentially influence SAF levels inadvertently such as nutrition, and for example the application of skin care products. This review will address the AGE Reader functionality and the endogenous, and exogenous factors which potentially influence the SAF assessment in individual subjects.

A Surgical Approach to Location-specific Neuropathic Foot Ulceration

The management of pedal ulcerations is often challenging because of a failure to correct underlying biomechanical deformities. Without correcting the biomechanical driving force creating the increased plantar pressures, it is unlikely for routine wound care to provide lasting solutions to pedal ulcerations. Patients with diabetes often experience glycosylation of their tendons, leading to contracture and pursuant deformity, creating imbalanced pressure distributions and eventual plantar ulceration. This article evaluates the efficacy of various lower extremity tendon transfers to balance the foot and redistribute plantar pressures to prevent or heal ulceration.

Understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis of diabetic tendinopathy

There is accumulating evidence of an increased incidence of tendon disorders in people with diabetes mellitus. Diabetic tendinopathy is an important cause of chronic pain, restricted activity, and even tendon rupture in individuals. Tenocytes and tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) are the dominant cellular components associated with tendon homeostasis, maintenance, remodeling, and repair. Some previous studies have shown alterations in tenocytes and TSPCs in high glucose or diabetic conditions that might cause structural and functional variations in diabetic tendons and even accelerate the development and progression of diabetic tendinopathy. In this review, the biomechanical properties and histopathological changes in diabetic tendons are described. Then, the cellular and molecular alterations in both tenocytes and TSPCs are summarized, and the underlying mechanisms involved are also analyzed. A better understanding of the underlying cellular and molecular pathogenesis of diabetic tendinopathy would provide new insight for the exploration and development of effective therapeutics.

Relationship between mechanical properties (shear modulus and viscosity), age, and sex in uninjured Achilles tendons

Tendon mechanical properties have been proposed as a biomarker of tendon health to track response to injury and treatment. Prior to utilizing these properties in an injured population, it is critical to understand how these are influenced by age and sex in an uninjured population. A retrospective analysis was conducted of 118 uninjured Achilles tendons to evaluate the relationship between tendon mechanical properties, age and sex. Mechanical properties (shear modulus and viscosity) were assessed using continuous shear wave elastography. A moderator regression analysis was completed to examine the relationship between tendon mechanical properties, age and sex, after adjusting for body mass index and physical activity level. There was an interaction between age and sex for shear modulus (p=0.049, R² change=0.034). Females had a negative relationship between age and shear modulus (p=0.030, β=-0.350) but no relationship was observed for males (p=0.78, β=0.031). A positive relationship was found between age and viscosity (p=0.034, β=0.214). Increased viscosity was related to increased age with no difference between sexes. The effect of aging on shear modulus differed between men and women and may help explain sex specific injury risks and their differing response to mechanical load.

Does glucocorticoid exposure explain the association between metabolic dysfunction and tendinopathy?

BACKGROUND

While metabolic health is acknowledged to affect connective tissue structure and function, the mechanisms are unclear. Glucocorticoids are present in almost every cell type throughout the body and control key physiological processes such as energy homeostasis, stress response, inflammatory and immune processes, and cardiovascular function. Glucocorticoid excess manifests as visceral adiposity, dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. As these metabolic states are also associated with tendinopathy and tendon rupture, it may be that glucocorticoids excess is the link between metabolic health and tendinopathy.

OBJECTIVE

To synthesise current knowledge linking glucocorticoids exposure to tendon structure and function.

METHODS

Narrative literature review.

RESULTS

We provide an overview of endogenous glucocorticoid production, regulation, and signalling. Next we review the impact that oral glucocorticoid has on risk of tendon rupture and the effect that injected glucocorticoid has on resolution of symptoms. Then we highlight the clinical and mechanistic overlap between tendinopathy and glucocorticoid excess in the areas of visceral adiposity, dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In these areas, we highlight the role of glucocorticoids and how these hormones might underpin the connection between metabolic health and tendon dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

There are several plausible pathways through which glucocorticoids might mediate the connection between metabolic health and tendinopathy.

Does Magnetic Resonance Imaging Provide Superior Reliability for Achilles and Patellar Tendon Cross-Sectional Area Measurements Compared with Ultrasound Imaging?

This study investigated the reliability of Achilles and patellar tendon cross-sectional area (CSA) measurement using ultrasound imaging (USI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Fifteen healthy adults were imaged twice on two occasions, interrupted by a tendon loading protocol. Tendon CSA segmentations were conducted by an experienced and an inexperienced rater blinded to information regarding subject, session and loading status. USI provided good test-retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient [ICC] 2,1 > 0.85, standard error of measurement [SEM] 5%-6%), while with MRI it was excellent (ICC 2,1 > 0.92, SEM 4%) for the experienced rater. This study suggests that MRI provides superior reliability for tendon CSA measurements compared with USI. However, the difference in reliability between the methods was small, and the results were inconclusive regarding objectivity and sensitivity to change when assessed based on the effect of loading. We concluded that both methods can be used for reliable CSA measurements of the Achilles and patellar tendons when using a highly standardized measurement protocol and when conducted by an experienced rater.

Peroneal Tendon Lengthening as an Adjunct Procedure to Aid in the Reduction of the Lateral Malleolus in Diabetic Ankle Fractures: 2 Case Reports

It is well-documented that individuals with longstanding diabetes mellitus are at risk for specific metabolic abnormalities; this includes but is not limited to increased glycation of collagenous soft-tissue structures. It is also apparent that such changes can manifest as thickening and increased stiffness of tendinous structures. What remains unknown are the biomechanical ramifications of these changes and how they should affect the surgical management of lower extremity injuries. Previous research suggests that the Achilles tendon demonstrates increased stiffness in the presence of diabetes. It is therefore reasonable to presume that increased collagen glycation and the resultant tendon stiffness can also lead to decreased extensibility and shortening of the peroneus longus and brevis tendons. The significance of this leads us to the conclusion that glycation of the peroneal tendons can create a deforming force in displaced lateral malleolar fractures because of the adjacent position of the peroneal tendons relative to the lateral malleolus. Complications stemming from this can lead to increased difficulty in reducing fibular fractures and subsequent shortening of the fibula. For the purpose of this article, we present 2 cases, 1 using open reduction with internal fixation and the other with external fixation. We will demonstrate that, in both reduction methods, lengthening of the peroneal tendons can be a useful adjunct procedure to aid in restoration of fibular length in diabetic ankle fractures.

Advanced Glycation End-Products Suppress Mitochondrial Function and Proliferative Capacity of Achilles Tendon-Derived Fibroblasts

Debilitating cases of tendon pain and degeneration affect the majority of diabetic individuals. The high rate of tendon degeneration persists even when glucose levels are well controlled, suggesting that other mechanisms may drive tendon degeneration in diabetic patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of advanced glycation end-products on tendon fibroblasts to further our mechanistic understanding of the development and progression of diabetic tendinopathy. We proposed that advanced glycation end-products would induce limitations to mitochondrial function and proliferative capacity in tendon-derived fibroblasts, restricting their ability to maintain biosynthesis of tendon extracellular matrix. Using an in-vitro cell culture system, rat Achilles tendon fibroblasts were treated with glycolaldehyde-derived advanced glycation end-products (0, 50, 100, and 200 μg/ml) for 48 hours in normal glucose (5.5 mM) and high glucose (25 mM) conditions. We demonstrate that tendon fibroblasts treated with advanced glycation end-products display reduced ATP production, electron transport efficiency, and proliferative capacity. These impairments were coupled with alterations in mitochondrial DNA content and expression of genes associated with extracellular matrix remodeling, mitochondrial energy metabolism, and apoptosis. Our findings suggest that advanced glycation end-products disrupt tendon fibroblast homeostasis and may be involved in the development and progression of diabetic tendinopathy.

Tendinopathy: Pathophysiology, Therapeutic Options, and Role of Nutraceutics. A Narrative Literature Review

Tendinopathies are very common in general population and a huge number of tendon-related procedures take place annually worldwide, with significant socio-economic repercussions. Numerous treatment options are commonly used for tendon disorders. Besides pharmacological and physical therapy, nutrition could represent an additional tool for preventing and treating this complex pathology that deserve a multidisciplinary approach. In recent years, nutraceutical products are growing up in popularity since these seem to favor the prevention and the healing processes of tendon injuries. This narrative literature review aims to summarize current understanding and the areas of ongoing research about the management of tendinopathies with the help of oral supplementation.

Effects of Long-Term Physical Activity and Diet on Skin Glycation and Achilles Tendon Structure

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) accumulate with aging and have been associated with tissue modifications and metabolic disease. Regular exercise has several health benefits, and the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of regular long-term exercise and diet on skin autofluorescence (SAF) as a measure of glycation and on Achilles tendon structure. In connection with the 2017 European Masters Athletics Championships Stadia, high-level male athletes (n = 194) that had regularly trained for more than 10 years were recruited, in addition to untrained controls (n = 34). SAF was non-invasively determined using an AGE Reader. Achilles tendon thickness and vascular Doppler activity were measured by ultrasonography, and diet was assessed by a questionnaire. There was no significant difference in SAF between the athletes and controls. However, greater duration of exercise was independently associated with lower SAF. Diet also had an effect, with a more "Western" diet in youth being associated with increased SAF. Furthermore, our data demonstrated that greater Achilles tendon thickness was associated with aging and training. Together, our data indicate that long-term exercise may yield a modest reduction in glycation and substantially increase Achilles tendon size, which may protect against injury.

Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Elastography and Ultrasonographic Findings of Achilles Tendon in Patients With and Without Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Cross-Sectional Study

AIMS

We aimed to evaluate the elastographic features of Achilles tendon with Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse in patients with and without diabetic neuropathy.

METHODS

According to the presence of peripheral neuropathy, 45 patients with type 2 diabetes were divided into 2 subgroups. Those with peripheral neuropathy were defined as group I (22 patients) and those without peripheral neuropathy were defined as group II (23 patients). A total of thirty age-, gender-, and body mass index-matched healthy individuals were selected as controls. All participants underwent both ultrasonographic and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse elastographic examination in order to evaluate Achilles Tendon thickness and stiffness.

RESULTS

Achilles tendon thicknesses were similar between groups (p=0.991). Achilles tendon thicknesses of both patient groups were significantly higher than the control group (group I vs control p=0.01; group II vs control p=0.006). Stiffness values of Achilles tendons were similar between the control group and group II (p=0.993). Shear Wave Velocity was significantly lower in group I than group IIand control group (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Diabetic patients with neuropathy have thicker and softer Achilles tendon while the elasticity of Achilles tendon in diabetic patients without neuropathy is similar to the healthy controls. Softening of the Achilles tendon may be an early sign of diabetic foot and reveal the patients with a risk of diabetic foot.

Load magnitude affects patellar tendon mechanical properties but not collagen or collagen cross-linking after long-term strength training in older adults

BACKGROUND

Regular loading of tendons may counteract the negative effects of aging. However, the influence of strength training loading magnitude on tendon mechanical properties and its relation to matrix collagen content and collagen cross-linking is sparsely described in older adults. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of moderate or high load resistance training on tendon matrix and its mechanical properties.

METHODS

Seventeen women and 19 men, age 62-70 years, were recruited and randomly allocated to 12 months of heavy load resistance training (HRT), moderate load resistance training (MRT) or control (CON). Pre- and post-intervention testing comprised isometric quadriceps strength test (IsoMVC), ultrasound based testing of in vivo patellar tendon (PT) mechanical properties, MRI-based measurement of PT cross-sectional area (CSA), PT biopsies for assessment of fibril morphology, collagen content, enzymatic cross-links, and tendon fluorescence as a measure of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs).

RESULTS

Thirty three participants completed the intervention and were included in the data analysis. IsoMVC increased more after HRT (+ 21%) than MRT (+ 8%) and CON (+ 7%) (p < 0.05). Tendon stiffness (p < 0.05) and Young's modulus (p = 0.05) were also differently affected by training load with a reduction in CON and MRT but not in HRT. PT-CSA increased equally after both MRT and HRT. Collagen content, fibril morphology, enzymatic cross-links, and tendon fluorescence were unaffected by training.

CONCLUSION

Despite equal improvements in tendon size after moderate and heavy load resistance training, only heavy. load training seemed to maintain tendon mechanical properties in old age. The effect of load magnitude on tendon biomechanics was unrelated to changes of major load bearing matrix components in the tendon core. The study is a sub-study of the LISA study, which was registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02123641) April 25th 2014.

Distribution of the Highest Plantar Pressure Regions in Patients with Diabetes and Its Association with Peripheral Neuropathy, Gender, Age, and BMI: One Centre Study

The abnormal plantar pressure distribution and value play a key role in the formation of plantar calluses and diabetic foot ulcer. The prevalence of the highest pressure different distribution and its association with various factors among patients with diabetes is not well known. The study purpose was to evaluate the prevalence of different regions for the highest pressure on the sole and its association with selected factors among patients with diabetes. Medical records of nonulcer patients were retrospectively analysed. The relationship between pressure patterns on the sole obtained during a pedobarographic test as a semiquantitative assessment with colourful print analysis and neuropathy, gender, age, and BMI was searched. The most common location of the highest pressure was the central part of the forefoot. No association was found between the different highest pressure regions and age, sensory neuropathy, calluses, and foot deformities. The highest pressure on the lateral part of the foot and midfoot was observed more often in females and in patients with a BMI ≥ 35. The prevalence of the highest pressure on the forefoot was more common in patients with a BMI < 35. Conclusions. The most frequent regions of the highest pressure on the sole in patients with diabetes were the central part of the forefoot (2-3 metatarsal heads) with no simple relationship to the assessed variables other than BMI < 35. Female gender and higher BMI seem to be responsible for shifting the place of the highest pressure to other places of the foot.

The influence of population characteristics and measurement system on barefoot plantar pressures: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis

BACKGROUND

The measurement of plantar pressure distributions during gait can provide insights into the effects of musculoskeletal disease on foot function. A range of hardware, software, and protocols are available for the collection of this type of data, with sometimes disparate and conflicting results reported between individual studies. In this systematic review and meta-regression analysis of dynamic regional peak pressures, we aimed to test if 1) the system used to obtain the pressure measurements and 2) the characteristics of the study populations had a significant effect on the results.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to identify articles reporting regional peak plantar pressures during barefoot walking. A mixed-effects modeling approach was used to analyze the extracted data. Initially, the effect of the system used to collect the data was tested. Following this, the effect of participant characteristics on the results were analyzed, using moderators of cohort type (defined as the primary health characteristic of the participants), age, sex, and BMI.

RESULTS

115 participant groups were included in the analysis. Sufficient cohorts were available to test those that consisted of healthy individuals, and those with diabetes and diabetic neuropathy. Significant differences were found between results reported by studies using different pressure measurement systems in 8 of the 16 regions analyzed. The analysis of participant characteristics revealed a number of significant relationships between regional peak pressures and participant characteristics, including: BMI and midfoot plantar pressures; elevated forefoot pressures as a result of diabetic neuropathy; and sex-differences in regional loading patterns.

CONCLUSIONS

At the level of the literature, we confirmed significant effects of disease status, age, BMI, and sex on regional peak plantar pressures. Researchers and clinicians should be aware that measurements of peak plantar pressure variables obtained from different collection equipment are not directly comparable.

Effect of type 2 diabetes on energy cost and preferred speed of walking

PURPOSE

Although walking is the most commonly recommended activity for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), these patients walk daily less than their healthy peers and adopt a lower self-selected speed. It has been suggested that gait alterations observed in this population could be responsible for a higher metabolic rate (MR) during walking. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare relationship between MR, the energy cost of walking per unit of distance (Cw) and self-selected walking speed in T2D patients and healthy individuals.

METHODS

We measured metabolic and spatiotemporal parameters for 20 T2D patients and 20 healthy control subjects, while they walked on a treadmill at different speeds (0.50-1.75 m s-1) using a breath-by-breath gas analyzer and an inertial measurement unit, respectively.

RESULTS

Net MR was 14.3% higher for T2D patients on average across all speeds, and they preferred to walk 6.8% slower at their self-selected compared with their non-diabetics counterparts (1.33 vs. 1.42 m s-1, respectively; p = 0.045). Both groups naturally walked at a self-selected speed close to their minimum gross Cw per distance, with similar values of minimum gross Cw (3.53 and 3.32 J kg-1 m-1 in T2D patients and control subjects, respectively).

CONCLUSION

When compared with healthy subjects, T2D patients walk with a higher MR at any given speed. Thus, the slower self-selected speed observed in T2D patients seems to correspond to the speed at which their gross energy cost per distance was minimized and allows T2D patients to walk at the same intensity than healthy subjects.

Lengthen, Alignment, and Beam Technique for Midfoot Charcot Neuroarthropathy

Charcot neuroarthropathy is a disabling pathology in the foot and ankle. Midfoot Charcot is most common and results in progressive deformity. We describe a 2-step approach to surgical reconstruction, referred to as the lengthen, alignment, and beam technique. There is an initial surgery involving acute equinus correction through Achilles tendon lengthening and gradual correction with hexapod external fixation to align the deformity, followed by minimally invasive medial and lateral column beaming. This surgical protocol allows for adequate reduction of deformity. The second stage allows for rigid intramedullary fixation extending beyond the pathologic joints via a minimally invasive technique.

Streptozotocin-induced diabetes alters transcription of multiple genes necessary for extracellular matrix remodeling in rat patellar tendon

OVERVIEW

Tendon collagen fibril degradation is commonly seen in tendons of diabetics, but the mechanisms responsible for these changes remain to be elucidated. We have demonstrated that streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes increases tendon cell proliferation and collagen content. In the present study, we evaluated that impact of STZ-induced diabetes on mRNA transcripts involved with collagen fibril organization, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, apoptosis, and proliferation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were divided into four groups: nondiabetic (control, n = 9), 1 week (acute, n = 8) or 10 weeks of diabetes (chronic, n = 7), and 10 weeks of diabetes with insulin (insulin, n = 8). RNA was isolated from the patellar tendon for determination of mRNA transcripts using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR).

RESULTS

Transcripts for Col1a1, Col3a1, Mmp2, Timp1, Scx, Tnmd, Casp3, Casp8, and Ager were lower in acute relative to control and insulin rats (p ≤ 0.05). With the exception of Scx, transcripts for Col1a1, Col3a1, Mmp2, Timp1, Tnmd, Casp3, Casp8, and Ager were also lower in chronic when compared to control (p < 0.05). Transcripts for Col1a1, Col3a1, Mmp2, Timp1, Tnmd, Casp3, Casp8, and Ager were not different between control and insulin (p > 0.05). Transcripts for Dcn, Mmp1a, Mmp9, Pcna, Tgfbr3, Ptgs2, Ptger2, Ptges, and iNos were not altered by diabetes or insulin (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicated that STZ-induced diabetes results in rapid and large changes in the expression of several genes that are key to ECM remodeling, maintenance, and maturation.

Multiscale mechanical effects of native collagen cross-linking in tendon

The hierarchical structure of tendon allows for attenuation of mechanical strain down decreasing length scales. While reorganization of collagen fibers accounts for microscale strain attenuation, cross-linking between collagen molecules contributes to deformation mechanisms at the fibrillar and molecular scales. Divalent and trivalent enzymatic cross-links form during the development of collagen fibrils through the enzymatic activity of lysyl oxidase (LOX). By establishing connections between telopeptidyl and triple-helical domains of adjacent molecules within collagen fibrils, these cross-links stiffen the fibrils by resisting intermolecular sliding. Ultimately, greater enzymatic cross-linking leads to less compliant and stronger tendon as a result of stiffer fibrils. In contrast, nonenzymatic cross-links such as glucosepane and pentosidine are not produced during development but slowly accumulate through glycation of collagen. Therefore, these cross-links are only expected to be present in significant quantities in advanced age, where there has been sufficient time for glycation to occur, and in diabetes, where the presence of more free sugar in the extracellular matrix increases the rate of glycation. Unlike enzymatic cross-links, current evidence suggests that nonenzymatic cross-links are at least partially isolated to the surface of collagen fibers. As a result, glycation has been proposed to primarily impact tendon mechanics by altering molecular interactions at the fiber interface, thereby diminishing sliding between fibers. Thus, increased nonenzymatic cross-linking decreases microscale strain attenuation and the viscous response of tendon. In conclusion, enzymatic and nonenzymatic collagen cross-links have demonstrable and distinct effects on the mechanical properties of tendon across different length scales.

Tendinous tissue properties after short- and long-term functional overload: Differences between controls, 12 weeks and 4 years of resistance training

AIM

The potential for tendinous tissues to adapt to functional overload, especially after several years of exposure to heavy-resistance training, is largely unexplored. This study compared the morphological and mechanical characteristics of the patellar tendon and knee extensor tendon-aponeurosis complex between young men exposed to long-term (4 years; n = 16), short-term (12 weeks; n = 15) and no (untrained controls; n = 39) functional overload in the form of heavy-resistance training.

METHODS

Patellar tendon cross-sectional area, vastus lateralis aponeurosis area and quadriceps femoris volume, plus patellar tendon stiffness and Young's modulus, and tendon-aponeurosis complex stiffness, were quantified with MRI, dynamometry and ultrasonography.

RESULTS

As expected, long-term trained had greater muscle strength and volume (+58% and +56% vs untrained, both P < .001), as well as a greater aponeurosis area (+17% vs untrained, P < .01), but tendon cross-sectional area (mean and regional) was not different between groups. Only long-term trained had reduced patellar tendon elongation/strain over the whole force/stress range, whilst both short-term and long-term overload groups had similarly greater stiffness/Young's modulus at high force/stress (short-term +25/22%, and long-term +17/23% vs untrained; all P < .05). Tendon-aponeurosis complex stiffness was not different between groups (ANOVA, P = .149).

CONCLUSION

Despite large differences in muscle strength and size, years of resistance training did not induce tendon hypertrophy. Both short-term and long-term overload demonstrated similar increases in high-force mechanical and material stiffness, but reduced elongation/strain over the whole force/stress range occurred only after years of overload, indicating a force/strain specific time-course to these adaptations.