Influence of dosage and timing of application of platelet‐derived growth factor on early healing of the rat medial collateral ligament

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Abstract
In previous studies, platelet‐derived growth factor has demonstrated beneficial in vivo effects on wound healing. We report the results of two studies of platelet‐derived growth factor in the rat medial collateral ligament injury model. Experimental injury sites were implanted with platelet‐derived growth factor, whereas contralateral controls received only collagen. Twelve days postoperatively, the femur‐medial collateral ligament‐tibia complex was tested mechanically. Our first study found a marked drop in the effectiveness of platelet‐derived growth factor when it was administered more than 24 hours after injury. Dose‐response testing showed maximum increases in strength (90% ) with 5.0 μg of platelet‐derived growth factor, but the 1.0 μg group showed similar strength increases, indicating a probable plateau effect in the response. These results indicate that platelet‐derived growth factor has promise for healing ligaments but that it must be administered in appropriate doses soon after injury.