Generating autogenous cartilage on the basis of subperichondrial grafts of demineralized bone matrix with local stimulation by growth factors

Ortop Traumatol Rehabil. 2001 Apr 30;3(2):190-3.

Abstract

Cartilage tissue acquired de novo is a very attractive material for the surgical reconstruction of joint surfaces, trachea, and maxillofacial elements. One of the primary challenges for tissue engineering is to determine the procedures that lead to the creation of material meeting the established qualitative and quantitative criteria. The goal of this work was to determine whether and how growth factors (IGF-1 and FGF) and ethyl alcohol administered locally affect the course and final outcome of the chondrogenetic process under in vitro conditions in New Zealand rabbits. In order to generate cartilage, a collagen scaffold (demineralized ZMK bone matrix) was used, wrapped in a pedunculated flap of perichondrium (from the rabbit's ear), which, beginning on the 3rd day after the operation, was injected with growth factors every 3 days. Grafts were collected in the 3rd and 6th week after the ZMK implantation, and the silvers made from them were stained for the presence of collagen II, collagen I, and macrophages, and analyzed morphometrically. It was found that the application of growth factors only slighty, intensified the synthesis of collagen II, and had no effect on the degree of macrophage infiltration or collagen I contents, while the numerous injections exerted a negative impact on the architecture of the newly-formed tissue and contributed to an increased number of complications (hematomas, infections).