Abstract

The decellularization process utilizes perfusion-based technologies to remove cells from donor tissues but preserve the structural and functional characteristics of the native underlying tissue. These ECM proteins can be extracted from organs and tissues through decellularization. A main challenge in the field of regenerative medicine is creating a mechanically functional tissue with a well-organized extracellular matrix, particularly of collagen and elastin. The present study aimed to evaluate the physical, chemical and mix procedure (physical and chemical) to indicate the best pathway for decellularization of tendon tissue that prepared preclinical as scaffolds for surgical application in the reconstruction of damaged tissues. This study investigated the development of efficient tendon decellularization protocols and evaluated the structural and functional properties of the resulting scaffolds for potential surgical applications in the fabrication of medical devices for tendon replacement. In our current study, we also focused on appropriate tendon source and preclinical animal model with the potential to go into clinical trials by the year 2023. Results show a broad spectrum of allogenic or xenogeneic tendon donor sources. Decellularization of superficial digital flexor tendons was confirmed to be effective as tissue graft by histological staining reveal cellular changes with degenerative necrosis and demonstrate the relative changes in the tendon parenchyma of collagen bundles arrangement with swelling of texture of whole tendon, also the tensile strength measurement appear the reducing the ability of tendon to strength as a result of tissue changes with maintains the tensility and elongation propriety as normal as possible, so that the decellularized tendons produced with our new protocol bear a great ability as a potential source for tendon tissue grafts in the cases of unrepaired tendon damage. The study demonstrated that decellularization protocols, particularly the combined physical chemical approach, effectively remove cellular components while preserving extracellular matrix structure. Despite a reduction in tensile strength, the treated tendons retained acceptable elasticity, supporting their potential use as biological scaffolds for tendon repair.

Key words: Tendon, Decellularization, tissue graft, Surgical transplantation.