Nasal chondrocyte-based tissue engineering therapy for articular cartilage repair in a rat model

Abstract

Objective To explore the effect of nasal chondrocytes combined with fibrin glue as tissue engineering cartilage for repairing full thick articular cartilage defect in a rat model. Methods Nasal chondrocytes were combined with fibrin glue for rat cartilage repair. There are three groups: nasal chondrocytes+ fibrin (NC+ Fibrin) group; Fibrin group; Defect group. At 6 and 12 weeks after surgery, Catwalk, gross observation, histological evaluation were conducted to evaluate the cartilage repair effects. Results 1, 3, 6, 12 weeks after surgery, the Catwalk results revealed that rats in NC+ Fibrin group can obtain a better recovery limb fuction in a shorter time. Gross observation and histological evaluation reveals that NC+ Fibrin group led to hyaline-like cartilage repair. While the other two groups generally led to fibrocartilage repair (P=0.018). Conclusion These findings indicate that the nasal chondrocytes can repair rat full thick articular cartilage successfully. Key words: Chondrocytes; Fibrin glue; Cartilage tissue engineering; Articular cartilage repair