Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation (An Experimental Study in Rabbit Knee Joints)

Abstract

Purpose: To repair cartilage and to restore joint surface by transporting chondrocytes into osteochondral defects. Materials and
Methods: The chondrocytes were isolated from cartilage tissue samples taken from the shoulder joints of 20 New Zelland rabbits, fed by GMMA Research Center Laboratory Animals Unit, by mechanical segmentation and enzymatic digestion performed at GMMA Department of Genetics. After the viability test and counting of the cells, chondrocytes were reproduced in a monolayer system in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 and 90% humidity at 37 °C. Then chondrocytes that were induced to injectable form were transplanted to the defect caused in the rabbit knee and washed with hyalurinidase, and after that it was covered with periosteal graft taken from tibia proximal. Left knees of the rabbits were taken as the control group.
Findings:The subjects were controlled for 12 weeks after the operation. After the fifth week, considerable improve in their walking was noted. In the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th weeks 2 rabbits were sacrificed one at a time. In macroscopic findings, the surface of the joint of the newly formed tissue was smooth and transparent in appearance in the 12th week. In the same week, in histologic findings, it was seen that the defect was replaced by the hyaline cartilage. There was no significant difference between the control and study groups in synovial inflammation.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that autologous chondrocyte transplantation is a new treatment method in joint cartilage defects but more research is needed to improve this method.