Background

The aim of this study was to clarify the objective therapeutic effects of an acellular technique by ultrapurified alginate (UPAL) gel implantation in canine osteochondral defect models.

Methods

Two osteochondral defects (diameters: 3.0 and 5.0 mm) were created on each patellar groove in both knees of 10 dogs. Defects were divided into four groups (n = 10 each): Group 1, untreated 3.0-mm defect; Group 2, 3.0-mm defect with UPAL gel; Group 3, untreated 5.0-mm defect; and Group 4, 5.0-mm defect with UPAL gel. All surgical procedures were performed by individuals unfamiliar with the technique at an independent institution. Articular surfaces were evaluated grossly and histologically at 27 weeks after operation.

Results

UPAL gel-treated osteochondral defects showed significantly improved gross appearance in Group 4 and histological appearance in Groups 2 and 4. Reparative tissues in the 3.0-mm defect with UPAL gel were replaced by hyaline-like cartilage tissue. The 5.0-mm defects with UPAL gel were mostly covered with fibrocartilaginous tissue, whereas UPAL gel-untreated defects mostly remained uncovered by any tissue.

Conclusions

Although an acellular technique using UPAL gel implantation significantly enhanced osteochondral repair in canines, reparative tissues of the large defect with alginate gel comprised of fibrocartilaginous tissue. This surgical technique is effective, especially for small cartilage injuries. Further improvements are required before clinical application in cases of severe osteochondral defects in humans.

中文翻译：

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超纯化海藻酸盐 (UPAL) 凝胶植入犬骨软骨缺损模型中的无细胞技术的治疗效果和适应性限制。

背景

本研究的目的是阐明在犬骨软骨缺损模型中通过超纯化海藻酸盐 (UPAL) 凝胶植入脱细胞技术的客观治疗效果。

方法

在 10 只狗的双膝的每个髌骨沟上产生了两个骨软骨缺损（直径：3.0 和 5.0 mm）。缺陷分为四组（每组 n = 10）： 第一组，未处理的 3.0 毫米缺陷；第 2 组，使用 UPAL 凝胶的 3.0 毫米缺损；第 3 组，未经处理的 5.0 毫米缺损；和第 4 组，使用 UPAL 凝胶的 5.0 毫米缺陷。所有外科手术均由不熟悉该技术的个人在独立机构进行。术后 27 周对关节面进行大体和组织学评估。

结果

UPAL 凝胶处理的骨软骨缺损在第 4 组和第 2 组和第 4 组的组织学外观显着改善。用 UPAL 凝胶处理的 3.0 毫米缺损处的修复组织被透明样软骨组织取代。UPAL 凝胶的 5.0 毫米缺损大部分被纤维软骨组织覆盖，而未经 UPAL 凝胶处理的缺损大多未被任何组织覆盖。

结论

尽管使用 UPAL 凝胶植入的无细胞技术显着增强了犬的骨软骨修复，但海藻酸盐凝胶的大缺损修复组织由纤维软骨组织组成。这种手术技术是有效的，特别是对于小软骨损伤。在人类严重骨软骨缺损的情况下临床应用之前需要进一步改进。