Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Researches indicate nitric oxide plays a crucial role in tendon healing.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the progress of recent researches on the nitric oxide and tendon healing.
METHODS: A computer-based online search of related papers from January 1992 to December 2011 was performed in PubMed database using the key words “nitric oxide, tendon, healing” in English, and in CNKI database using the key words of “nitric oxide, tendon, healing” in Chinese from January 1995 to December 2011. Totally 115 articles were found, and finally 37 articles were included in result analysis.
RESULTS ADN CONCLUSION: In normal tendons, there is no expression of nitric oxide synthase; however, in injured tendons, there is a significant increase in nitric oxide synthase activity at different time. When this activity is inhibited, tendon healing is impaired. When nitric oxide, in the correct doses, is added, tendon healing is enhanced. Nitric oxide may play a role in controlling inflammation and extracellular matrix metabolism, which improves the symptoms, signs, quality and function of the tendon.