[Degradation of antigen-extracted meniscus in vitro].
OBJECTIVE
To study degradation of the antigen-extracted meniscus in PBS solution with no enzyme or with different enzymes.


METHODS
Four types of enzymes (collagenase, hyaluronidase, trypsin, papain) were used to enzymolyze the antigen-extracted meniscus and the fresh meniscus for 3, 7, 15 and 30 days (37 degrees C). The antigen-extracted meniscus and the fresh meniscus were immersed in PBS solution (37 degrees C) for 30 days. Weight loss measurement, UV spectrophotometry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the degraded materials.


RESULTS
The two types of the materials were remarkably digested under the enzymes, especially under trypsin. The degradation curves showed that the antigen-extracted meniscus was enzymolyzed less than the fresh meniscus. The degradation products were grouped as amino, peptide, and polycose by the analysis. Both of the materials could hardly be hydrolyzed in PBS solution without the enzymes. The four different enzymes had different surface morphologies under the examination of SEM.


CONCLUSIONS
The antigen-extracted meniscus is enzymolyzed more slowly than the fresh meniscus in vitro, and the result can be used as a guideline to the further research.
Li
Xiaofeng
X
Department of Orthopedics, Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong. doctorli000@163.com
Cai
Daozhang
D
Wang
Kun
K