Ageing changes in the tensile properties of tendons: Influence of collagen fibril volume fraction

K L Goh; D F Holmes; H Y Lu; S Richardson; K E Kadler; P P Purslow; Tim J Wess

doi:10.1115/1.2898732

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$Ageing changes in the tensile properties of tendons: Influence of collagen fibril volume fraction$

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Ageing changes in the tensile properties of tendons: Influence of collagen fibril volume fraction

K L Goh, D F Holmes, H Y Lu, S Richardson, K E Kadler, P P Purslow and Tim J Wess

Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, Vol.130(2)

2008

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2898732

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Abstract

Connective tissues are biological composites comprising of collagen fibrils embedded in (and reinforcing) the hydrated proteoglycan-rich (PG) gel within the extracellular matrices (ECMs). Age-related changes to the mechanical properties of tissues are often associated with changes to the structure of the ECM, namely, fibril diameter. However, quantitative attempts to correlate fibril diameter to mechanical properties have yielded inconclusive evidence. Here, we described a novel approach that was based on the rule of mixtures for fiber composites to evaluate the dependence of age-related changes in tendon tensile strength (Ïƒ) and stiffness (E) on the collagen fibril cross-sectional area fraction (Ï), which is related to the fibril volume fraction. Tail tendons from C57BL6 mice from age groups 1.6-35.3 months old were stretched to failure to determine Ïƒ and E. Parallel measurements of Ï as a function of age were made using transmission electron microscopy. Mathematical models (rule of mixtures) of fibrils reinforcing a PG gel in tendons were used to investigate the influence of Ï on ageing changes in Ïƒ and E. The magnitudes of Ïƒ, E, and Ï increased rapidly from 1.6 months to 4.0 months (P-values <0.05) before reaching a constant (age independent) from 4.0 months to 29.0 months (P-values >0.05); this trend continued for E and Ï (P-values >0.05) from 29.0 months to 35.3 months, but not for Ïƒ, which decreased gradually (P-values <0.05). Linear regression analysis revealed that age-related changes in Ïƒ and E correlated positively to Ï (P-values <0.05). Collagen fibril cross-sectional area fraction Ï is a significant predictor of ageing changes in Ïƒ and E in the tail tendons of C57BL6 mice. Copyright © 2008 by ASME.

Details

Title: Ageing changes in the tensile properties of tendons: Influence of collagen fibril volume fraction
Authors: K L Goh (Author) - Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
D F Holmes (Author) - University of Manchester, United Kingdom
H Y Lu (Author) - University of Manchester, United Kingdom
S Richardson (Author) - University of Manchester, United Kingdom
K E Kadler (Author) - University of Manchester, United Kingdom
P P Purslow (Author) - University of Guelph, Canada
Tim J Wess (Author) - Cardiff University, United Kingdom
Publication details: Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, Vol.130(2)
Publisher: American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Date published: 2008
DOI: 10.1115/1.2898732
ISSN: 0148-0731
Organisation Unit: Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic); University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450677002621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Biophysics; Engineering, Biomedical

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