Vol 62, No 2 (2003)
Original article
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2003-02-27
Rabbit articular cartilage defects treated with cultured costal chondrocytes (preliminary report)
Janusz Popko, Paweł Szeparowicz, Bogusław Sawicki, Sławomir Wołczyński, Jerzy Wojnar
Folia Morphol 2003;62(2):107-112.
Vol 62, No 2 (2003)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2003-02-27
Abstract
An attempt to repair articular cartilage defects by costal chondrocytes transplantation
was made. A full-thickness defect in the rabbit's femoral patellar groove was artificially made. Cultured costal cartilage chondrocytes were then transplanted into the defects and covered with periosteal flaps. Empty defects were used as the control group. Animals were divided into two groups (five rabbits each). They were examined after four and twelve weeks from the day of transplantation, respectively. The reparative tissue was evaluated by macroscopic and histological examinations. The reparative tissues in defects with transplanted chondrocytes had an hyaline-like cartilage appearance and were firmly attached to the surrounding normal cartilage. No trace of newly formed bone was detected. The reparative tissues found in defects that were left empty had a fibrous character. They were loosely connected to the surrounding cartilage and were more compliant than tissues from transplanted defects. Considering
these initial findings, the ease of surgical procedures during the harvesting of the costal cartilage and few interventions into the joint make the costal cartilage a promising source of chondrocytes for transplantation. However, this
needs to be confirmed on a larger scale over a longer period of time.
Abstract
An attempt to repair articular cartilage defects by costal chondrocytes transplantation
was made. A full-thickness defect in the rabbit's femoral patellar groove was artificially made. Cultured costal cartilage chondrocytes were then transplanted into the defects and covered with periosteal flaps. Empty defects were used as the control group. Animals were divided into two groups (five rabbits each). They were examined after four and twelve weeks from the day of transplantation, respectively. The reparative tissue was evaluated by macroscopic and histological examinations. The reparative tissues in defects with transplanted chondrocytes had an hyaline-like cartilage appearance and were firmly attached to the surrounding normal cartilage. No trace of newly formed bone was detected. The reparative tissues found in defects that were left empty had a fibrous character. They were loosely connected to the surrounding cartilage and were more compliant than tissues from transplanted defects. Considering
these initial findings, the ease of surgical procedures during the harvesting of the costal cartilage and few interventions into the joint make the costal cartilage a promising source of chondrocytes for transplantation. However, this
needs to be confirmed on a larger scale over a longer period of time.
Keywords
articular cartilage repair; costal chondrocytes; transplantation
Title
Rabbit articular cartilage defects treated with cultured costal chondrocytes (preliminary report)
Journal
Folia Morphologica
Issue
Vol 62, No 2 (2003)
Article type
Original article
Pages
107-112
Published online
2003-02-27
Page views
551
Article views/downloads
1115
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2003;62(2):107-112.
Keywords
articular cartilage repair
costal chondrocytes
transplantation
Authors
Janusz Popko
Paweł Szeparowicz
Bogusław Sawicki
Sławomir Wołczyński
Jerzy Wojnar