Iris Publishers- Open access Journal of Orthopedics Research | Tendon Biomineralization

Authored by Maciej Pawlikowski


Due to understandable difficulties with obtaining research materials from humans, bio mineralogical studies were carried out on chicken and beef tendons. Those were chosen as material where biomineralization phenomena occur in a similar fashion as in human tendons. Tendons that were studied were both young and older, at various ages, located both near their connection with bone and with muscle. In the studies, binocular microscopy, polarizing microscopy, and scanning microscopy with EDS chemical analysis attachment were used. It was concluded that tendons undergo progressive mineralization with age. Its early stages are element –mostly calcium and phosphorus–substitutions into the biological structures of collagen that builds tendons. It develops in areas of tendon microinjuries. That mineralization can be discovered only using precise chemical methods because it’s virtually invisible under the microscope, even in great magnifications. In older tendons, especially in places where they connect with bone, but also in muscle areas, the highest level of tendon mineralization with weakly crystalline calcium phosphates of mineralogical properties of hydroxyapatite is observed.
Keywords: Tendons; Biomineralization

Introduction

Mortality risk assessment

Literature regarding tendons, methods of examining them [1- 6] and various phenomena observed in torn and treated tendons is very rich [7-37]. Especially numerous and difficult to quote fully is literature regarding different treatment technologies [1,38-59]. There are no articles discussing the issues of tendon mineralization, including phenomena that occur in damaged tendons. We hope to partially fill that void with this publication. Presence of tendon mineralization is connected with damage in the structure of tendon collagen. The damaged spots are particularly susceptible to biomineralization (mineralization of biological structures). Due to electric charges present in those spots, they form so called crystallization centers. Secret tendon mineralization consists of element substitution into the biological structures in damaged spots. This phenomenon results in changes of physical properties of such mineralized tendons. They are less flexible and may be shortened or lengthened, so they do not fulfill their functions properly. Resulting dysfunctions lead to further deformations of biological structures of tendons (and nearby muscles), and often to their further mineralization. During the discussed studies of old tendons, micro-grains of calcium phosphates and carbonates were observed that seriously impeded mobility of tendons, and therefore muscles, and as a consequence, e.g. limbs.
Since more advanced mineralization was found in older tendons, we can assume that the phenomenon may be partially connected with demineralization of the bone where the tendon is attached. Therefore, biomineralization may not affect symmetrical tendons (e.g. in two limbs) in equal measure. Tendon- biomineralization undoubtedly hinders their functioning, contributing to dysfunction of individual muscles and entire organs.

Materials and Methods

Study material consisted of chicken and beef tendons obtained from a slaughterhouse. Tendons that were used came from older and younger animals (as comparative material). In total, 10 chicken tendons and 10 beef tendons from the area above the knee were studied. Selected samples are shown in Figure 1-4. Due to reduction of the volume of this publication, only selected samples that characterize the observed phenomena best were presented. In this study, a stereoscopic microscope (PZO binocular magnifier, model 3) was used to make a selection of tendons for further study. Selected tendons or their parts were observed using a polarizing microscope with lateral illumination. Observations were carried out with partially crossed polarizers, using magnifications up to 400x. In those observations a Motic microscope of Chinese production, model 07-100477, was used. Observed phenomena were documented with micrographs. Described observations allowed for another selection of material, to be studied using a scanning microscope with EDS chemical analysis attachment. In those studies, the FEI QUANTA 200 FEG microscope was used. Initial markings were semi-quantitative and revealed areas of higher and lower content of elements. In tendons (in particular parts) where increased levels of elements were observed, spot quantitative chemical analyses were conducted, which were then compiled in tables.

Result

In Figure 1-4 below samples of tendons (selected out of 20) are shown, chosen for detailed tests. Descriptions under the Figures give information regarding the method of sample selection (Figure 1-4).

Selective studies under binocular microscope (magnifier)

Both in the young and old tendon samples, the areas tested were the tendon-muscle connection, the tendon, and the tendon in the bone attachment area. (Chicken tendons – Figure 5, A–D; beef tendons Figure 6,7 A–D). (Figure 5).

The connection of the beef tendon with the knee joint cartilage turned out to be interesting Figure 6. Observations indicate that detachment may take place on connection of these two structures. Analyses of the joint cartilage and the tendon itself showed presence of elevated levels of calcium in the collagen in both (Figure 6).

Results of observation: Mineral grains in tendons observed under transmitted light polarizing microscope

Observations of the tendon structures using polarizing microscope in partially polarized light Figure 7 allowed us to observe a number of places affected by biomineralization. Those places in partially polarized light (incomplete rotation of polarization plane) cause the fragments affected by mineralization to show different interference colors than tendon parts that are not affected by that phenomena Figure 7A, 7B. In some places, mineral grains are observed in the tendon structure Figure7C, 7D.

In the studies of tendons using polarizing microscope, particularly interesting were the observations conducted with lateral illumination of the tendons. Despite trouble with obtaining sharpness (small depth of field with higher magnifications) we managed to observe mineral grains in the tendon structure. They are a few micrometers in size and have well developed shapes. Their contents are usually complex, because they consist in part of calcium carbonates or phosphates, and in part of difficult to identify organic substances Figure 8A-8D (Figure 7,8).

SEM-EDS analysis results

Results of the studies described above allowed for selection of tendon fragments for detailed testing. Both non-mineralized fragments and tendons where mineral concentrations were found were analyzed.
Sample 1. Non-mineralized chicken tendon: Typical test results of one of many tendons are presented below Figure 9. Chemical analyses conducted in many spots of the tendon show only slightly elevated sulfur contents of Table 1 and in some places slightly elevated levels of silica. Only in one spot a grain of silica was observed spot 1 Figure 9, which may be an external surface contamination of the tendon. Observations indicate that in spite of the macroscopic appearance of the tendon not suggesting its mineralization, it contains (like other tendons) elevated, though varied levels of silica and sulfur (Figure 9 & Table 1).

Sample 2. Chicken tendon affected by mineralization: In those tendons, widely varied degree of mineralization is observed. It means that mineralization is not uniform, but clearly focused in spots connected with places where the structure of the tendon is damaged Figure 10. In addition to the sulfur and silica that were found also in tendons seemingly not affected by mineralization, places of increased levels of Fe, K, Na, Cl, but also Al are observed Table 2. Mineral grains that are seen here occasionally are mostly calcium phosphates. (Figure 10) (Table 2).

Sample 3C. Beef tendon not affected by mineralization: In order to compare tendon mineralization in the same spot, the same tests were conducted on beef tendons Figure 11. It turned out that beef tendons that did not look mineralized contained a lot of elements Table 3. However, their presence was not uniform (Figure 11).
In tendons that do not look as if they are affected by mineralization, areas completely devoid of elements were recognized Point 2, Figure 11, Table 3, point 2. However, there are numerous areas of tendons where many elements are present. (Table 3).

Sample 3 (D5). Beef tendon affected by mineralization: Similar to all the other samples of tendons affected by mineralization, mineralization of tendon on the muscle connection area was observed under the polarizing microscope (Figure 12).

Conducted chemical analyses indicate that chemical contents of muscle and tendon vary significantly Table 4. An interesting result is high local content of potassium in a micro-grain found in this tendon sample Table 4, point 1. In point 2 of this tendon, a micrograin with a high content of silica is present
In general, analyzed tendons contain more marked elements that are often not present in the muscle. It may be connected with the fact that tendons are built mostly of proteins (collagen) which, unlike muscles, are easily mineralized. The process consists of incorporating minerals into defected protein structures. Perhaps working tendons are also potentially more susceptible to structural damage than muscles. It is known that such damaged spots become active centers of crystallization. (46) (Table 4).

Sample 4. Beef tendon affected by mineralization: Due to the observations made on muscle–tendon connections, analyses were also conducted on tendons distant from muscles Figure 13. They were conducted mostly to check potential connection between muscle and tendon mineralization. It was noted that even not too distant spots of one tendon contain different amounts of elements (Figure 13) (Table 5).

Those are elements that also mineralize chicken tendons.

Summary and Conclusion

• Tendons undergo mineralization that consists either of substituting elements into atomic structures of proteins (collagen) or creating phosphate or carbonates micro-grains.
• Biomineralization of tendons develops in places where biological structures are defected. Those places become centers of crystallization.
• Defects in those structures can be either genetic or developed during the organism’s lifetime. Secondary defects are likely connected to the individual’s physical activity.
• The medium and source of tendon mineralization are body fluids.
• Tendon biomineralization undoubtedly changes its mechanical properties, which may favor changes in mobility e.g. in joints that are moved by tendons, but also other organs where tendons exist (the spine, intercostal tendons etc.).
• In spite of the studies having been conducted on animal tendons, we can assume that the same phenomena exist in human tendons.
• It appears easier to prevent tendon biomineralization than to remove it, e.g. pharmacologically.


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