Study on Articular Cartilage Defect Repaired with Homograft of Isolated and Cultured Chondrocytes

Aim To study the effect of homograft of isolated and cultured chondrocytes on articular cartilage defect. Methods Chondrocytes were taken from 3 weeks old New Zealand unmature male rabbits. The chondrocytes cultured and preserved in liquid nitrogen (-196℃) were transplanted into the defects of articular cartilage in female rabbits. The defects of either of the knee media femur condyle were planted with chondrocyte collagen and the exteral defects of the left knees were planted with collagen and the lateral defects of the right knees were left empty. After the operation, all the rabbits were set free, that is, without any splintage. The rabbits were killed at 4, 8 and 12 weeks postoperation, and the specimens were disected, macroscope examined histologically, and electronic microscope. The samples were hybridized with probe Y gene. Results The defects of media femur condyle were repaired, but the defects of the exteral femur condyle were not repaired. SRY (sex determing region Y) gene could prove the result. Conclusion The defects of articular cartilage and arthritis may be repaired through transplantation with chondrocytes.