Repair of knee articular cartilage defects with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and bioprotein gel compound in rabbits

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Objective To investigate the role of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) compounded with bioprotein gel (Bg) in repair of knee articular cartilage defects of rabbits. Methods Bilateral femoral condylar cartilage defect models (3.5 mm in diameter and 3 mm in depth) were established in 36 healthy New Zealand rabbits. Animals were divided into three groups of 12 rabbits each according to the random number table: BMSCs-Bg group, Bg group and blank control group. Effect of repair was evaluated by anatomic observation and histological examination at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after operation and by articular cartilage histological hemi-quantitative scoring system. Results Hyaline-like cartilage was noted in BMSCs-Bg group at 4 weeks postoperatively, got close to the normal at 8 and 12 weeks and showed no disintegration at 16 weeks. Only fibrous tissue or fibrocartilage was observed in other 2 groups. In BMSCs-Bg group histology scores were (4.5±0.1)points, (4.9±0.1)points, (5.5±0.1)points, and (6.2±0.1)points respectively at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks, higher than those in other 2 groups (P<0.05). Besides, the histology scores were higher in Bg group than in blank control group but the differences were insignificant. Conclusion BMSCs-Bg compound can well repair the articular cartilage defect in a short-term period, when Bg contributes to cartilage generation as a good cell carrier. Key words: Cartilage; Mesenchymal stem cells; Fibrin tissue adhesive; Repair