Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-94fs2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-06T09:55:00.941Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Effects of Relaxin on the Mechanical Properties of Collagen Rich Tissues

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2011

John R. Dylewski
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611
L. H. Larkin
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611
C. L. Beatty
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611
Get access

Abstract

A collagenous scar capsule forms around biomaterial implants and for deformable implants such as a breast prosthesis, this phenomenon of capsular scar contracture may lead to deformation and hardening of the implant. Relaxin, a peptide hormone of pregnancy which is known to affect collagen rich tissues, was given to mice in an attempt to eliminate or lessen this contracture. A short (8 day) study was performed to observe the effects of relaxin and estrogen on the mechanical properties of Skin and the interpubic ligament. A longer (27 day) study observed the effects of relaxin in estrogen primed mice containing implants. Changes in skin, interpubic ligament, scar capsule and contracture phenomenon were noted. Stress-strain characterization, dynamic mechanical spectroscopy and light microscopy were used to characterize the effects of relaxin and estradiol on the contracture phenomenon. Qualitatively, relaxin given to estrogen primed mice was shown to lessen implant contracture and deformability. Administration of relaxin produced the documented changes in the interpubic ligament, but differences were noted between the 8 and 27 day studies. Differences in the failure stress and strain and modulus for the long implant and short non-implant study were noted for the relaxin treated mice.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1986

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

References Cited

1. Little, G. and Baker, J. L. Jr., Plast. Reconstr. Surg., 65, 30 (1980).Google Scholar
2. Courtiss, E. H., et al., Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 63, 812 (1972).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3. Burkhardt, B. R., et al., Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc., May 19, Orlando, FL, 1980.Google Scholar
4. Dempsey, W. C. and Latham, W. D., Plast. Reconstr. Surg., 42, 515 (1968).Google Scholar
5. Rudolph, R., et al., Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 62, 185 (1978).Google Scholar
6. Williams, J. E., Plast. Reconstr. Surg., 49, 253 (1972).Google Scholar
7. Caffee, H., Surg. Forum, 31, 544 (1980).Google Scholar
8. Domanskis, E. J. and Owsley, J. Q. Jr., Plast. Reconstr. Surg., 58, 689 (1976).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9. Wilflingseder, T., et al., Chir. Plast., 2, 215 (1974).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10. Moiseev, Y., J. Poly. Sci: Polymer Symposium, 66, 269 (1979).Google Scholar
11. Courtiss, E. H., et al., Plast. Reconstr. Surg., 54, 552 (1974).Google Scholar
12. Argenta, L. C. and Gabb, W. C., Plast. Surg. Forum, 4, 55 (1981).Google Scholar
13. Shah, Z., et al., Plast. Reconstr. Surg., 68, 34 (1981).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14. Rudolph, R., World J. Surg., 4, 279 (1980).Google Scholar
15. Rudolph, R., et al., Plast. Reconstr. Surg., 62, 185 (1978).Google Scholar
16. Wagner, H., et al., Plast. Reconstr. Surg., 60, 49 (1977).Google Scholar
17. Casten, G. and Boucek, R., J.A.M.A., 166, 319 (1958).Google Scholar
18. Fields, P. A. and Larkin, L. H., J. Endocr., 87, 147 (1980).Google Scholar
19. Porter, D. A., Oxford Reviews of Reproductive Biology, ed. Finn, C. A., p. 1, Oxford Univ. Press, New York (1979)Google Scholar
20. Rawitch, A. B., et al., Int. J. Biochem., 11, 357 (1980).Google Scholar
21. Frieden, E. H. and Adams, W. C., Proc. Soc. Exp. Bio. and Med., 180, 39 (1985).Google Scholar